o) 


THE 

ADVENTURES 

OF 

EBENEZER    FOX, 

i» 

IN 

THE    REVOLUTIONARY  WAR 

I  LLUSTR ATED    BY 


ORIGINAL  DESIGNS. 


BOSTON- 
PUBLISHED    BY    CHARLES    FOX. 


ES15 
F7 
•1,84-7 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1838,  by 

CHARLES   FOX, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  District  of 
Massachusetts. 


SALEM,  March  5th,  1847. 
DEAR  SIR  : 

Allow  me  to  thank  you  for  the  little  volume  you  had 
the  kindness  to  send  to  me,  containing  an  account  of 
the  adventures  of  your  father  during  the  war  of  the 
Revolution.  The  singular  character  of  the  adventures 
themselves,  and  the  spirited  manner  in  which  they  are 
described,  give  the  work  a  very  lively  interest.  The 
narrative  presents,  in  a  striking  light,  some  of  the  re 
markable  incidents  of  the  war,  and  particularly  the  suf 
ferings  on  board  the  Old  Jersey  Prison-Ship.  Such 
narratives  are  doubly  valuable,  as  exhibiting  events  of 
history  at  the  same  time  they  make  us  acquainted  with 
the  personal  experience  of  the  actors.  It  gives  me 
pleasure  to  be  able  to  add  this  little  book  to  my  library. 

Accept  the  regards  and  thanks  of 

Yours,  respectfully, 

JARED  SPARKS 
CHARLES  Fox,  ESQ. 


PREFACE. 


"  GRANDFATHER,"  said  my  eldest  grandchild, 
fast  Thanksgiving  eve,  "  I  wish  you  would  relate 
to  us  all  your  revolutionary  stories.  You  have 
told  us  a  great  many  stories,  but  we  wish  very 
much  to  hear  the  whole  at  once." 

In  this  request  the  second  joined,  who  was 
soon  followed  by  the  third,  while  the  fourth 
caught  me  by  the  hand,  saying,  "  Do,  grandpa, 
tell  us  something  about  the  war."  "  O  yes,  do, 
grandpa,"  said  the  fifth ;  while  the  next,  a  little 
boy  of  three,  jumped  up  on  my  knee,  and  lisped 
out  his  request  that  I  would  tell  a  story ;  and  the 
baby,  making  her  way  into  the  circle,  added  to 
the  clamor  with  the  most  articulate  sounds  she 
could  utter ;  and  then  all  seven  joined  in  one 
grand  chorus,  though  not  in  unison,  and  the  bur 
den  of  the  song  was,  "  Do  tell  us  your  revolu 
tionary  adventures." 

Now  I  love  nothing  better  than  giving  pleasure 


IV  PREFACE. 

to  children ;  and,  although  this  was  lather  a 
comprehensive  request,  I  at  length  consented  to 
give  them  a  connected  recital  of  the  adventures 
of  my  youth,  during  a  time  when  everything 
was  interesting  to  those  who  love  excitement 
and  action. 

Accordingly,  when  the  young  folks  had  tired 
themselves  with  "  blind-man's-buff"  and  various 
other  games,  with  which  I  am  not  acquainted, 
they  formed  a  circle  round  the  fire  and  called  on 
me  for  the  fulfilment  of  my  promise. 

But  to  their  great  disappointment,  I  soon  found 
that  a  troublesome  cough,  which  I  had  in  the 
winter,  effectually  prevented  my  giving  them 
anything  like  the  connected  narrative  they  were 
so  desirous  to  hear. 

They  all  expressed  so  much  regret  at  being 
deprived  of  their  anticipated  pleasure,  and  it 
seemeq^  so  unlikely  that  I  should  be  any  better 
able  to  gratify  them,  that  I  at  length  concluded 
to  commit  my  adventures  to  writing,  and  give  the 
manuscript  to  one  of  my  grandchildren  to  read 
to  the  others. 

This  decision  met  with  general  approbation, 
and  I  commenced  my  task. 

Though  I  am  an  old  man  of  seventy-five,  I  am 
an  earlier  riser  than  most  of  my  grandchildren, 


.     PREFACE.  V 

and  was  generally  up  an  hour  or  two  before  sun 
rise  in  the  winter,  and  used  to  tell  them  at  break 
fast  that  I  had  written  several  pages  before  they 
were  awake. 

As  I  had  nothing  to  interrupt  me,  and  the 
reminiscences  of  my  younger  days  proved  very 
interesting  to  myself,  I  was  able  to  recollect  much 
more  than  I  expected  I  sh^ld ;  for  the  events 
which  occur  in  our  youth,  especially  such  as  it 
has  been  my  lot  to  participate  in,  make  a  much 
more  lasting  impression  on  our  minds  than  those 
of  a  later  period,  when  we  have  become  more 
accustomed  to  the  vicissitudes  of  life. 

One  circumstance  after  another  revived  in  my 
memory,  and  was   detailed   on   paper, — u: 
found  that  my  manuscript  had ,  increased 
much  larger  size    than    I,  or  those    for   \ 
pleasure  it  was  written,  had  anticipated. 
,  At  last,  to  their  great  delight,  it  was  completed ; 
-ind  was  received  with  so  much  approbation  by 
ihe  young  auditors,  that  it  was  thought  it  might 
oe  interesting  to  maturer  minds ;  and  it  was  lent 
to  several  friends,  who  expressed  so  favorable  an 
ypinion  of  it,  and  were  so  desirous  that  I  should 
31  ve  the  public  an  account  of  my  revolutionary 
adventures,  that  I  have  consented  to  prepare  for 
the  press  the  manuscript  originally  intended  for 
1* 


VI  PREFACE. 

my  own  family,  with  the  hope  that  it  may  prove 
as  interesting  to  the  rising  generation,  as  it  has 
to  my  own  grandchildren. 

Should  it  be  thought  that  rny  simple  narrative 
does  not  contain  matter  of  importance  sufficient 
to  interest  the  reader,  I  can  only  say,  that  the 
partial  judgment  of  friends,  and  my  belief  that 
any  circumstances  Delating  to  the  most  interesting 
period  of  our  history,  would  prove  entertaining 
to  the  young,  must  be  my  excuse  for  presenting 
it  to  the  public. 


REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 


OP 


EBENEZffR  FOX, 


INTRODUCTION. 

THE  year  1763,  in  which  I  was  born,  was 
signalized  by  the  conclusion  of  the  treaty  of 
peace  between  England  and  France,  at  the 
termination  of  the  long  and  harassing  war, 
known  as  the  "Old  French  War.'7 

The  colonies  had  borne  the  foremost  part 
in  the  conflict,  with  very  slight  assistance 
from  the  mother  country ;  and  as  their  men 
and  money  had  been  freely  contributed,  and 
every  demand  of  the  English  government 
promptly  complied  with,  the  close  of  the 
war  found  the  colonies  in  a  state  of  great 
depression,  impoverished  and  dispirited. 


§h,  ;  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

Throughout  the  country,  hardly  a  town 
could  be  found,  which  had  not  sent  out  its 
little  hand  of  warriors,  or  aided  in  defraying 
the  expenses  of  the  soldiers,  and  many  had 
lost  relatives  or  friends  in  the  prolonged 
contest;  while  those  who  returned  to  their 
homes  were,  many  of  them,  sick  and  enfee 
bled  from  the  exposure  and  hardships  which 
they  had  encountered. 

It  would  have  seemed  but  just  and  rea 
sonable,  that  the  scarcity  of  money  and  the 
condition  of  business  should  have  exempted 
*he  colonies  from  the  additional  burden  of 
taxation. 

But  such  was  not  the  opinion  of  the  Brit 
ish  ministry.  Although  the  colonies  had 
jntil  this  period  been  permitted  to  tax  them 
selves,  without  the  interference  of  England, 
parliament  now.  with  an  apparent  deter 
mination  to  reduce  them  to  the  lowest  con 
dition  of  servitude,  passed  an  act  in  1764, 
^rhich  imposed  a  duty  on  several  articles, 
aid  the  preamble  to  which  was  in  these 


"  Whereas  it  is  just  and  necessary,  that  a 
avenue  be  raised  in  America,  for  defraying 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  9 

the  expenses  of  defending,  protecting,  and 
securing  the  same,  we,  the  commons,"  &c. 
&c. 

The  colonies  considered  this  act  extremely 
unjust  and  arbitrary ;  but,  while  they  would 
not  admit  the  right  to  tax  them,  it  was  sub 
mitted  to,  though  not  in  silence. 

The  patience  of  the  colonists,  and  their 
respect  for 'their  own  rights,  were  insulted 
in  the  following  year  by  the  passage  of  the 
famous  stamp  act,  which  effectually  aroused 
the  spirit  of  liberty  in  every  American 
bosom,  and  excited  so  universal  a  storm  of 
indignation  throughout  the  country,  that 
the  English  parliament  felt  obliged  to  re 
peal  it. 

The  satisfaction  of  the  colonies  was  of 
short  duration;  for,  in  1767,  an  act  was 
passed,  imposing  heavy  duties  on  glass, 
paper,  tea,  &c.,  and  was  followed  by  seve 
ral  equally  vexatious,  and  the  dissatisfaction 
of  the  people  was  renewed ;  meetings  were 
called  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  and 
resolutions  passed  against  the  measures  of 
the  British  government. 

Among  many  other  insults  against  the  feel- 


10  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

ings  of  the  people,  the  stationing  of  garrisons 
in  New  York  and  Boston  was  particularly 
obnoxious;  and  in  the  former  city,  the 
house  of  assembly  was  suspended  by  the 
governor,  for  refusing  to  pass  a  bill  supply 
ing  the  soldiers  with  provisions,  &c. 

In  1768,  the  arrival  of  two  regiments  of 
British  soldiers  in  Boston,  which  were  sta 
tioned  in  the  State-House,  in  consequence 
of  the  inhabitants  refusing  to  furnish  quar 
ters  for  them,  excited  the  most  intense  ha 
tred  and  resentment  against  the  tyranny 
and  oppression  of  government,  and  was  an 
insult  to  the  house  of  their  public  assembly 
which  could  not  be  tolerated. 

The  assembly,  considering  the  peace  and 
dignity  of  their  house  violated  by  the  pres 
ence  of  British  troops,  refused  to  hold  their 
council,  unless  the  soldiers  were  removed. 

The  governor  therefore  adjourned  them 
to  Cambridge,  and  demanded  a  supply  of 
money  for  the  troops,  which  was  of  course 
refused,  as  derogatory  to  the  dignity  of  the 
Province. 

In  1769,  parliament,  as  if  resolved  to  try 
every  sort  of  insult,  in  an  address  to  the  king, 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  11 

reqiested  him  to  give  orders  to  the  governor 
of  Massachusetts, — which  had  shown  a 
more  determined  spirit  of  resistance  than 
any  other  colony,  —  to  send  all  who  might 
be  guilty  of  treason  to  England,  that  they 
might  be  tried  there. 

The  house  of  burgesses  of  Virginia  met 
soon  after,  and  passed  a  resolution,  "  deny 
ing  the  right  of  his  majesty  to  remove  an 
offender  out  of  the  country  for  trial."  The 
next  day  the  governor  dissolved  the  house. 
The  assembly  of  North  Carolina  followed 
the  example,  and  were  likewise  dissolved 
by  their  governor. 

In  1770,  on  the  fifth  of  March,  a  violent 
tumult,  produced  by  an  affray  between  the 
soldiers  and  citizens,  in  which  several  of  the 
latter  were  killed,  still  more  enraged  the 
people  against  these  instruments  of  arbi 
trary  power;  and  the  anniversary  of  this 
outrage  was  for  several  years  commemo 
rated  by  addresses  to  the  public,  which 
served  to  keep  awake  the  spirit  of  inde 
pendence. 

The  detested  duty  on  tea  was  imposed  in 
1773,  and  no  American  can  forget  how  it 
was  received^  particularly  in  Boston. 


"tf  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

111  the  same  year  England,  desirous  to 
crush  the  spirit  of  rebellion,  as  it  was 
termed ,  decreed  that  all  public  officers 
should  be  rendered  independent  of  the  colo 
nies,  by  receiving  their  salaries  directly 
from  the  crown,  without  the  concurrence  of 
the  colonial  assemblies. 

This  measure,  tending  as  it  did  to  de 
prive  the  Americans  of  all  their  rights  and 
to  reduce  them  to  mere  bondsmen,  increased 
instead  of  subduing  the  determination  to 
secure  the  liberty  of  the  country. 

Regular  clubs  were  formed,  each  headed 
by  a  chief,  in  all  the  principal  towns  of 
Massachusetts,  with  a  system  of  correspon 
dence  between  them ;  and  it  became  evident 
to  all,  that  a  conflict  must  soon  take  place 
between  England  and  her  wronged  and 
insulted  colonies.  The  other  provinces  fol 
lowed  the  example  of  Massachusetts,  and 
similar  associations  were  formed  throughout 
the  country. 

In  retaliation  for  this,  and  similar  mani 
festations  of  the  determination  to  resist  tha 
British  government,  the  "  Boston  Port  BilP 
was  brought  forward   in   parliament  and 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  13 

passed  as  a  just  punishment  to  that  rebel 
lious  city,  which  had  been  foremost  in  re 
bellion. 

In  September,  1774,  the  first  congress 
was  convened,  consisting  of  deputies  from 
eleven  of  the  colonies. 

This  assembly  agreed  upon  a  declaration 
of  their  rights ;  passed  many  important  and 
spirited  resolutions;  and,  having  finished 
their  business  in  less  than  eight  weeks,  dis 
solved  themselves,  recommending  another 
congress  to  be  convened  on  the  tenth  of 
May  ensuing. 

No  one,  who  is  at  all  acquainted  with 
the  history  of  our  country,  needs  to  be  re 
minded  of  the  .events  which  followed  in  the 
next  year,  the  memorable  1775,  which 
dates  the  commencement  of  our  Revolution. 

An  account  of  the  action  at  Lexington 
was  transmitted  to  Great  Britain  by  the 
provincial  Congress  of  Massachusetts,  which 
was  then  in  session,  and  in  conclusion  they 
used  this  language  : 

"  Appealing  to  Heaven  for  the  justice  of 
our  cause,  we  determine  to  die,  or  be  free." 

The  battle  at  Lexington  was  followed  in 
2 


14  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

rapid  succession  by  the  taking  of  Ticonde- 
roga  and  Crown  Point,  and  the  Battle  of 
Bunker's  Hill,  which  taught  England  that 
it  would  be  no  easy  task  to  repress,  or  re 
sist,  the  spirit  of  liberty  which  animated 
the  heart  of  every  American. 

From  this  time,  the  rebels^  as  they  were 
termed  in  England,  daunted  by  no  obstacle 
and  discouraged  by  no  dangers,  went  stead 
ily  forward  in  the  great  contest,  which  re 
sulted  in  forcing  our  insolent  oppressors  to 
admit  that  Americans  could  not  be  con 
quered ;  and  obliging  Great  Britain  to  ac 
knowledge,  and  respect,  the  independence 
of  the  people  she  had  wantonly  insulted 
and  despised. 

From  this  rapid  sketch  of  the  period  im 
mediately  preceding  our  Revolution,  the 
facts  of  which  are  no  doubt  familiar  to 
every  reader  of  American  history,  it  will  be 
seen,  that  my  childhood  was  passed  in  the 
midst  of  excitement,  and  every  year  was 
marked  by  events  of  the  most  intense  and 
absorbing  interest. 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX,  15 


CHAPTER  I. 

I  WAS  born  in  the  East  Parish  of  Rox- 
bury,  state  of  Massachusetts,  January  30th, 
1763. 

Nothing  out  of  the  ordinary  course  of 
human  events  occurred,  of  which  I  have 
any  recollection,  until  I  arrived  to  the  age 
of  seven. 

My  father,  who  was  a  tailor,  being  poor 
and  having  a  large  family,  thought  that  my 
physical  powers  were  adequate,  at  this  time 
of  life,  to  my  own  maintenance  ;  arid  placed 
me  under  the  care  of  a  farmer  named  Pel- 
ham.  The  house  in  which  that  gentleman 
resided  was  situated  in  what  was  then 
called  Roxbury  Street* 

*  Mr.  Pelham's  house  stood  upon  the  spot  now  occupied 
by  the  store  of  Deacon  Caleb  Parker,  and  his  farm  was  the 
land  near  the  Creek,  belonging  to  the  heirs  of  the  late  Rev. 
Dr.  Porter. 

One  day,  while  employed  in  the  field,  I  left  my  work,  being 
alone,  to  try  my  skill  at  riding  on  horseback ;  and,  while 
attempting  to  put  on  the  bridle,  the  horse  suddenly  bit  a 
piece  of  flesh  from  my  cheek,  the  scar  of  which  is  evident  to 
this  day. 


1«5  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

With  him  I  continued  five  years,  per 
forming  such  services  in  the  house  and 
upon  the  farm  as  were  adapted  to  my  age 
and  strength.  I  imagined,  however,  that  I 
suffered  many  privations  and  endured  much 
hardship;  which  was  undoubtedly  true, 
were  my  situation  compared  with  that  of 
many  other  boys  of  my  age  at  that  time,  or 
in  this  more  refined  period.  Boys  are  apt 
to  complain  of  their  lot,  especially  when 
deprived  of  the  indulgences  of  home.  They 
do  not  estimate  their  advantages  or  disad 
vantages  by  comparison ;  but  view  them  in 
the  abstract,  and  judge  their  circumstances 
as  the  results  of  positive  evil,  when  they 
might  be  considered  as  comparative  bless 
ings. 

I  had  for  some  time  been  dissatisfied  with 
my  situation,  and  was  desirous  of  some 
change.  I  had  made  frequent  complaints 
of  a  grievous  nature  to  my  father ;  but  he 
paid  no  attention  to  them,  supposing  that  I 
had  no  just  cause  for  them,  and  that  they 
arose  merely  from  a  spirit  of  discontent 
which  would  soon  subside. 

Expressions  of  exasperated  feeling  against 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  17 

the  government  of  Great  Britain,  which 
had  for  a  long  time  been  indulged  and 
pretty  freely  expressed,  were  now  continu 
ally  heard  from  the  mouths  of  all  classes ; 
from  father  and  son,  from  mother  and 
daughter,  from  master  and  slave.  A  spirit 
of  disaffection  pervaded  the  land;  groans 
and  complaints,  and  injustice  and  wrongs 
were  heard  on  all  sides.  Violence  and 
tumult  soon  followed. 

Almost  all  the  conversation  that  came  to 
my  ears  related  to  the  injustice  of  England 
and  the  tyranny  of  government. 

It  is  perfectly  natural  that  the  spirit 
of  insubordination,  that  prevailed,  should 
spread  among  the  younger  members  of  the 
community;  that  they,  who  were  continu 
ally  hearing  complaints,  should  themselves 
become  complainants.  I,  and  other  boys  sit 
uated  similarly  to  myself,  thought  we  had 
wrongs  to  be  redressed ;  rights  to  be  main 
tained;  and,  as  no  one  appeared  disposed 
to  act  the  part  of  a  redresser,  it  was  our 
duty  and  our  privilege  to  assert  our  own 
rights.  We  made  a  direct  application  of 
the  doctrines  we  daily  heard,  in  relation  to 
2* 


18       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

the  oppression  of  the  mother  country,  to  our 
own  circumstances;  and  thought  that  we 
were  more  oppressed  than  our  fathers  were. 
I  thought  that  I  was  doing  myself  great 
injustice  by  remaining  in  bondage,  when  I 
ought  to  go  free ;  and  that  the  time  was 
come,  when  I  should  liberate  myself  from 
the  thraldom  of  others,  aud  set  up  a  govern 
ment  of  my  own;  or,  in  other  words,  do 
what  was  right  in  the  sight  of  my  own 
eyes. 

In  all  great  undertakings  a  friend  is 
needed,  with  whom  we  can  advise  and 
consult.  Men  experience  this  want,  and 
seldom  is  any  remarkable  achievement  ef 
fected  alone  and  unaided.  I  felt  the  neces 
sity  of  acting  in  unison  with  some  one,  who 
should  be  actuated  by  the  same  motives  as 
myself,  and  have  a  similar  object  in  view. 

I  sought  a  friend,  and  found  one  in  a 
companion  with  whom  I  had  long  associ 
ated,  John  Kelley,  who  was  a  little  older 
than  myself.  To  him  I  imparted  my  views 
and  wishes  in  regard  to  future  operations. 

We  held  many  consultations  in  secret, 
and,  mutual  confidence  being  established, 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  19 

we  came  to  the  sage  conclusion,  that  we 
were  living  in  a  state  of  servitude  that 
ought  to  be  scorned  by  the  sons  of  freemen. 

In  our  opinion  we  were  abundantly  capa 
ble  of  providing  for  our  own  wants ;  of  as 
suming  all  the  responsibilities  of  life ;  and 
.needed  no  protectors. 

Our  plan  was  soon  formed,  which  was 
nothing  less  than  to  furnish  ourselves  with 
whatever  we  thought  indispensable  for  our 
undertaking,  to  leave  home  privately,  and 
take  the  most  direct  route  to  Providence, 
R.  I.,  where  we  expected  to  find  employ 
ment  as  sailors  on  board  of  some  vessel. 

Our  greatest  trouble  was  to  raise  the 
means  for  the  expedition.  Having  col 
lected  what  few  articles  we  possessed  and 
securing  them  in  two  small  bundles,  we 
secreted  them  in  a  barn  at  some  distance 
from  our  habitation. 

The  place  for  our  meeting  was  the  steps 
of  the  church,  which  stood  where  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Putnam's  now  stands!^  According  to 

*  The  Rev.  Mr.  Adams  was  the  pastor  then.  Deacon 
Crafts j  grandfather  of  Mr.  E.  Crafts  of  Roxbury,  used  to 
read  aloud  one  verse  at  a  time  of  the  psalm  or  hymn,  which 
the  choir  would  sing,  and  then  wait  till  he  had  read  another 


20       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTIRES 

appointment,  I  found  my  friend  Kelley  on 
the  spot  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening  on 
the  eighteenth  of  April,  the  night  before  the 
memorable  battle  of  Lexington. 

Kelley's  first  question  to  me  was,  "  How 
much  money  have  you  got?"  I  replied, 
"  A  half  a  dollar."  "That  is  just  what  1 
have  got,"  said  Kelley,  '-though  I  might 
have  taken  as  much  as  I  wanted  from  the 
old  tory;  but  I  thought  I  would  not  take 
any  more  than  what  belonged  to  me." 

I  know  not  whether  this  proceeded  from 
Kelley 's  principle  of  honesty,  or  from  a  fear 
of  pursuit,  in  case  he  had  embezzled  any 
thing  which  would  render  him  an  object 

Hymn-books  \vere  not  in  general  use ;  they  were,  some 
time  after,  in  the  pews  of  the  wealthy  part  of  the  congrega 
tion.  At  a  subsequent  period,  a  kind  of  music,  called  Fugue- 
ing  tunes,  was  introduced;  and  they  had  a  literally  ./wg-iie- 
ing  effect  upon  the  elder  people,  the  greater  part  of  whom 
went  out  of  church  as  soon  as  the  first  verse  was  sung. 

I  very  well  remember  the  first  Sabbath  that  the  first  bass- 
viol  was  used,  as  an  accompaniment  to  the  singing.  The 
old  pious  people  were  horror-struck  at  what  they  considered 
a  sacrilegious  innovation,  and  went  out  of  meeting  in  high 
dudgeon.  One  old  church  member,  I  recollect,  stood  at  the 
church-door,  and  showed  his  contempt  for  the  music  by  mak 
ing  a  sort  of  caterwauling  noise,  which  he  called  "  mocking 
the  Banjo." 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  21 

worth  pursuing.  Kelley  had  lived  with  a 
gentleman  named  Winslow,  who  was  highly 
esteemed  for  his  benevolence  and  other  vir 
tues  ;  but,  being  a  friend  to  the  royal  gov 
ernment,  he  was  stigmatized  with  the  epi 
thet  of  "  Tory,"  and  considered  an  enemy 
to  his  country,  and  was  finally  obliged  to 
leave  the  place  when  the  British  troops 
evacuated  Boston.  After  spending  some 
time  in  making  arrangements,  we  started 
about  nine  o'clock  at  night,  and  travelled 
till  we  arrived  at  Jamaica  Plain  and  stopped 
on  the  door-steps  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gordon's*1 
church  to  rest  ourselves  and  hold  a  consul 
tation. 

We  concluded  to  continue  on  our  route, 
and  directed  our  course  to  Dedham,  where 
we  arrived  shortly  after  ten  the  same  night. 

As  I  have  observed,  this  was  on  the 
night  previous  to  the  battle  of  Lexington. 
At  that  time,  much  excitement  prevailed  in 
the  public  mind.  Great  anxiety  was  mani 
fested  in  the  country  in  the  vicinity  of  Bos 
ton  to  know  what  was  going  on  there. 
People  were  out  in  all  directions  to  hear 

*  Till  within  a  few  years  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gray's. 


22  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

the  "  news  from  town."  As  we  were  too 
young  to  be  very  well  informed  in  regard  to 
coming  events,  and  were  ignorant  of  the 
great  plans  in  agitation,  our  fears  induced 
us  to  think  that  the  uncommon  commotion 
that  appeared  to  prevail  must  have  some 
connexion  with  our  escape,  and  that  the 
moving  multitudes  we  saw  were  in  pursuit 
of  us.  Our  consciences  reproved  us  a  little 
for  the  step  we  had  taken,  and  our  fears 
magnified  the  dangers  to  which  we  were 
exposed. 

After  making  some  cautious  inquiries  at 
Dedham,  we  directed  our  course  to  Wai- 
pole  with  the  intention  of  reaching  it  that 
night. 

About  eleven  o'clock,  finding  ourselves 
excessively  fatigued,  we  determined  upon 
taking  up  our  night's  lodging  on  the  ground 
by  the  side  of  a  stone  wall. 

With  feelings  of  despondence  I  stretched 
myself  upon  the  earth,  with  my  bundle  for 
a  pillow,  and  observed  to  my  companion, 
"This  is  hard  lodging,  Kelley,  but  we  may 
have  harder;"  little  anticipating  the  hard 
ship  and  suffering  I  was  to  endure  in  some 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  23 

succeeding  years.  After  a  cold  and  uncom 
fortable  night's  rest,  we  started  before  day, 
and  reached  Walpole  about  ten  o'clock  in 
the  morning. 

Before  we  entered  the  village,  we  stopped 
at  a  tavern  and  called  for  a  bowl  of  bread 
and  milk,  the  price  of  which  was  three 
pence;  but  the  kind-hearted  landlord  re 
fused  to  take  any  compensation.  We  now 
were  constantly  meeting  with  people,  who, 
anxious  to  hear  the  news  from  Boston,  fre 
quently  interrogated  us  respecting  whence 
we  came  and  whither  we  were  going,  &c. ; 
in  answering  which  we  adhered  as  nearly 
to  the  truth  as  our  fears  of  discovery  would 
permit. 

We  stopped  at  Mann's  tavern  in  Wal 
pole,  and  here  a  multitude  of  people  col 
lected,  having  apparently  some  great  object 
in  agitation.  Being  seen  coming  in  the 
direction  from  Boston,  we  were  again  as 
sailed  with  more  questions  than  we  knew 
how  to  answer  consistently  with  our  safety. 
The  tavern-keeper  excited  our  apprehen 
sions  by  abruptly  asking  us  whither  we 
were  going  ? 


24  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

"To  seek  our  fortunes,"  we  replied. 

"  You  have  taken  hard  times  for  it,"  and 
he  advised  us  to  return  home. 

During  this  conversation,  the  stage  coach 
from  Boston  arrived  at  the  tavern,  where 
the  passengers  were  to  dine.  They  "brought 
the  news  of  the  Lexington  battle,  with  an 
exaggerated  account  of  a  loss  on  the  side 
of  the  British  of  two  hundred  men,  and  on 
that  of  the  American  of  only  thirty.  This 
was  received  with  loud  shouts  of  exulta 
tion,  while  the  militia  marched  off  full  of 
ardor  and  zeal.^ 

By  this  time,  my  companion  and  myself 
felt  the  need  of  some  refreshment ;  but  our 
funds  would  not  permit  us  to  indulge  our 
appetites  with  the  luxury  of  a  dinner ;  we 
therefore  contented  ourselves  with  a  simple 
luncheon. 

Tired  of  walking,  our  next  object  was  to 

*  The  exaggerated  account  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  must 
have  been  merely  of  that  part  of  it  which  happened  ^out 
sunrise,  the  firing  of  the  British  upon  the  militia  assembled 
upon  the  green  near  the  meeting-house. 

The  subsequent  fighting  at  Lexington  was  too  late  in  the 
day,  for  the  passengers  in  the  stage  to  give  any  information 
at  the  time  they  arrived  at  Walpole. 


OF   EBfiNEZER   FOX.  25 

drive  a  bargain  with  the  coachman  for  a 
ride  to  Providence.  The  price  demanded 
was  one  and  sixpence  for  each  of  us,  and 
that  upon  condition  that  one  should  ride 
with  the  coachman  and  the  other  on  the 


The  coachman's  seat  to  stage-coaches  in 
those  days  was  not  the  comfortable  place 
which  it  now  is ;  and  the  baggage  used  to 
be  fastened  directly  upon  the  hind  axle-tree. 
Racks  and  such-like  conveniences  are  the 
improvements  of  modern  times.  To  sit 
upon  the  baggage,  then,  could  not  be  con 
sidered  a  great  privilege,  and  it  required  not 
a  little  exertion  to  keep  one's  position.  For 
such  accommodations  one  and  sixpence  each 
we  considered  an  exorbitant  price;  and, 
after  a  great  deal  of  haggling,  a  bargain  was 
made  to  carry  us  both  for  two  and  eight- 
pence.  We  left  Walpole  about  one  o'clock, 
and  arrived  in  Providence  about  sunset. 

Any  one,  who  has  experienced  the  forlorn 
and  destitute  feelings  that  arise  in  the  mind 
when  he  feels  himself  alone  in  a  strange 
city,  may  easily  imagine  what  ours  were  at 
this  time.  The  moving  multitudes  were 
3 


26  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

returning  to  their  homes,  after  their  daily 
occupations  weie  over,  to  meet  their  fam 
ilies  and  .theii  friends  and  to  spend  the 
quiet  night.  Bat  we,  two  poor  boys,  had 
no  home  to  receive  us,  no  friends  to  wel 
come  us. 

Solitary  and  desolate,  we  felt  as  it  were 
"  strangers  in  a  strange  land."  We  wan 
dered  about  the  streets,  without  seeing  or 
expecting  to  see  any  one  who  would  afford 
us  any  assistance,  or  sympathize  in  our  dis 
tress.  Hungry  and  weary,  with  but  thirty 
coppers  in  our  pockets,  it  would  be,  we, 
thought,  unjustifiable  extravagance  to  in 
dulge  our  appetites  with  the  luxuries  which 
a  tavern  might  afford;  we  accordingly, 
seated  upon  the  steps  of  a  church,  attempted 
to  appease  the  cravings  of  hunger  upon 
some  provisions  in  our  bundles,  with  which 
we  had  the  precaution  to  provide  ourselves 
before  leaving  Roxbury.  Having  finished 
our  scanty  meal,  we  found  night  approach 
ing,  and  that  it  was  necessary  to  obtain 
lodgings  somewhere  at  a  small  expense. 

Our  design  in  coming  to  Providence  natu 
rally  led  us  to  the  part  of  the  town  where 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  27 

the  shipping  lay.  We  found  a  vessel  at  a 
wharf,  which  appeared  to  have  no  person 
on  board.  We  went  on  to  her  deck,  and, 
finding  the  cabin  doors  open,  entered,  took 
possession  of  two  vacant  berths,  in  which 
we  slept  soundly  till  morning,  when  we  left 
the  vessel  without  meeting  with  any  person 
belonging  to  her. 

We  strolled  about  the  town  with  spirits 
considerably  depressed,  and  breakfasted 
upon  what  remained  of  the  cold  food  on 
which  we  had  supped  the  night  previous. 

I  and  my  companion  then  thought  it  best 
10  separate,  for  the  purpose  of  seeking  em 
ployment,  in  different  directions;  and  we 
parted  without  thinking  to  fix  upon  any 
time  or  place  for  a  subsequent  meeting.  I 
have  since  ascertained,  that  Kelley  found 
employment  on  board  of  a  vessel,  and  went 
to  sea.  What  was  his  fate  I  know  not ;  for 
after  that  day  I  never  saw  him,  nor  to  the 
present  time  have  I  ever  heard  any  more 
respecting  him  than  what  I  have  related. 
Should  he  meet  with  these  pages,  he  is 
informed  that  I  reside,  in  the  town  from 
which  we  absconded  sixty-three  years  ago. 


28       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

He  would  find  me  altered  in  the  appearance 
I  presented  to  him  in  our  last  interview. 
But  probably  he  has  long  since  gone  to  that 
world  "from  whose  bourne  no  traveller 
returns,"  and  to  which  my  age  and  infirmi 
ties  admonish  me  that  I  must  soon  repair. 

In  the  course  of  my  perambulations  I 
went  into  the  market-house,  and  while 
there  I  saw  a  gentleman  who  was  addressed 
by  the  name  of  Curtis.  He  was  habited 
according  to  the  fashion  of  gentlemen  in 
those  days ;  a  three-cornered  hat,  a  club 
wig,  a  long  coat  of  ample  dimensions  that 
appeared  to  have  been  made  with  reference 
to  future  growth;  breeches  with  large 
buckles,  and  shoes  fastened  in  the  same 
manner,  completed  his  dress. 

His  face  appeared  familiar  to  me,  and, 
feeling  some  interest  in  him,  I  was  induced 
to -make  some  inquiries  respecting  him,  and 
found  that  his  Christian  name  was  Oba- 
diah;  and  that  he  had  lately  removed  to 
Providence  from  Boston.  With  this  gentle 
man  an  aunt  of  mine,  a  sister  of  my  mother, 
had  lived  in  Boston,  and  I  thought  it  proba 
ble  that  she  might  have  removed  to  Provi  / 
dence  with  his  family. 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  29 

With  this  impression  I  followed  Mr.  Cur 
tis  to  his  house,  and  to  my  great  joy  found 
my  aunt.  She  expressed  some  surprise  at 
seejng  me  so  far  from  home ;  and  I  had  to 
exercise  not  a  little  art,  and  to  depart  not  a 
little  from  the  truth,  to  account  for  my  un 
expected  visit.  My  aunt,  however,  extracted 
enough  from  the  answers  to  her  many  ques 
tions  to  satisfy  herself  that  I  had  left  home 
without  the  knowledge  of  my  parents. 
After  satisfying  my  appetite  with  an  abun 
dance  of  good  things,  to  which  I  had  been 
some  days  a  stranger,  she  endeavored  to 
persuade  me  to  give  up  my  project  of  going 
to  sea,  and  to  return  to  Roxbury.  This  I 
obstinately  refused,  and  finding  it  useless  to 
remonstrate  with  me  any  more,  she  dropped 
the  subject,  after  warning  me  of  many  evils 
which  might  ensue  if  I  persisted  in  my  un 
dertaking.  To  this  good  woman  was  I 
indebted  for  sustenance  while  I  remained  in 
Providence,  and  for  many  articles  of  cloth 
ing,  of  which  I  was  in  great  need. 
3* 


30  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER  II. 

AFTER  seeking  for  a  situation  on  board  of 
some  vessel  for  several  days,  I  at  length 
found  one  in  the  service  of  Capt.  Joseph 
Manchester,  who  was  in  the  employ  of 
Nathaniel  Angier.  I  shipped  in  the  capac 
ity  of  cabin  boy,  for  a  compensation  of 
twenty-one  shillings  per  month,  to  go  to 
Cape  Frangois  in  the  island  of  St.  Domingo. 
The  wages  of  the  sailors  were  forty-two 
shillings  per  month. 

By  the  assistance  of  my  good  aunt,  in  a 
few  days  I  was  tolerably  well  equipped  for 
the  voyage.  The  vessel  was  hauled  off  into 
the  stream,  and  shortly  after  we  sailed  for 
our  destined  port.  This  being  the  first  time 
(  ever  was  at  sea,  I  experienced  a  consider 
able  amount  of  that  mental  and  bodily  pros 
tration  called  "  sea-sickness ;"  but  in  a  few 
days  I  became  accustomed  to  the  motion  of 
the  vessel,  and  recovered  my  usual  health 
and  spirits. 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  31 

Being  what  is  termed  a  "  green  hand,"  I 
had  everything  to  learn  that  belonged  to  my 
duties ;  and  of  course  made  some  blunders, 
for  which  I  received  more  curses  than 
thanks. 

Among  other  misfortunes,  I  unluckily 
placed  a  large  pot  of  butter  in  the  larboard 
locker,  without  the  precaution  to  fasten  it  in 
its  place.  It  rolled  out  in  the  course  of  the 
night,  and  the  fragments  of  the  pot  together 
with  the  contents  were  scattered  about  near 
the  foot  of  the  cabin  steps.  At  the  time  of 
the  accident  the  captain  was  upon  deck,  and 
having  occasion  to  go  below,  ha  stepped  into 
the  midst  of  the  greasy  particles  and  mea 
sured  his  length  upon  the  floor.  The 
butter  received  a  stamp  of  considerable 
magnitude  in  the  form  of  a  head,  which, 
although  it  served  to  protect  the  captain's 
from  any  lamentable  damage,  did  not  shield 
onine  from  a  volley  of  oaths  and  threats  aris 
ing  from  the  irritation  of  the  moment  at  the 
awkward  predicament  in  which  he  found 
himself  placed. 

After  a  pleasant  voyage  of  about  fourteen 
days,  we  arrived  in  sight  of  our  destined 


32  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

port.  That  part  of  St.  Domingo  in  which 
Cape  Francois  is  situated  was  then  in  pos 
session  of  the  French ;  and,  in  regard  to  cer 
tain  articles,  trade  was  prohibited  between 
the  inhabitants  and  the  American  colonies. 
Some  management  was  therefore  necessary 
to  obtain  the  cargo  we  wanted.  A  boat- 
was  sent  ashore  to  inform  certain  merchants 
who  were  expecting  us,  of  our  arrival.  In 
the  morning  a  pilot  came  to  our  assistance, 
and  we  were  soon  anchored  in  the  harbor 
of  Cape  Francois. 

We  carried  out  staves  and  hoops  in  a 
state  of  preparation  to  be  converted  into 
hogsheads;  and  I  worked  at  coopering  till 
we  were  ready  to  receive  our  cargo.  Hav 
ing  filled  the  hogsheads  with  molasses, 
which  was  apparently  all  our  cargo,  we  set 
sail,  and  afterwards  took  on  board  a  quan 
tity  of  coffee,  a  prohibited  article,  which 
was  conveyed  to  us  by  vessels  employed  for 
that  purpose. 

Our  loading  being  thus  completed,  we 
directed  our  course  for  Providence,  and  after 
a  passage  of  about  fifteen  days  we  arrived 
at  Stonington,  Connecticut. 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  33 

During  our  absence  from  home,  the  Revo- 
AUtionary  war  had  commenced,  and  we 
found  that  the  British  had  begun  their 
depredations  upon  our  commerce  and  mari 
time  towns. 

We  left  Stonington  in  the  night,  enter 
taining  the  hope,  that,  with  a  favorable 
wind,  we  might  get  into  Providence  without 
being  discovered  by  the  British  cruisers, 
which  we  knew  were  cruising  somewhere 
between  Newport  and  Providence. 

If  the  breeze  had  continued  favorable,  we 
should  have  effected  our  object ;  but,  unfor 
tunately,  the  wind  subsided  a  little  before 
daylight,  and  in  the  morning  we  found  our 
selves  close  by  the  enemy,  consisting  of  two 
ships  of  war,  and  a  small  vessel  called  a 
tender  between  them  and  the  land.  The 
American  commander,  Commodore  Whip- 
pie,  with  a  naval  force  greatly  inferior  to 
the  British,  was  seen  by  us,  higher  up  the 
bay,  out  of  reach  of  the  enemy,  making  sig 
nals  for  us  to  press  all  sail  and  approach. 
But  unluckily  we  were  ignorant  of  the 
meaning  of  the  signals,  and  did  not  know 
whether  they  came  from  a  friend  or  an 


34      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

enemy.  As  the  cruisers  were  to  the  wind 
ward  of  us,  we  tacked  one  way  and  the 
other,  hoping  that  we  should  be  able  to  beat 
up  the  bay;  but,  finding  that  the  tender  was 
about  to  intercept  our  progress  in  one  direc 
tion,  while  the  cruisers  approached  us  in 
the  other,  and  no  chance  of  escape  appear 
ing,  we  bore  away  and  ran  our  vessel  ashore. 

Preparations  were  hastily  made  for  leav 
ing  the  vessel,  our  captain  having  given  per 
mission  to  all,  who  were  disposed  to  run  the 
risk,  to  make  their  escape.  The  mate  and 
crew  jumped  overboard  and  swam  for  the 
shore  where  they  all  arrived  safe,  although 
fired  upon  by  the  British  tender. 

Captain  Manchester,  supposing  that  I 
should  be  unable  to  reach  the  shore  by 
swimming,  kindly  advised  me  to  remain  on 
board  with*  him  and  be  taken  prisoner.  I 
hesitated  a  short  time  about  taking  his 
advice,  but  finally  concluded  to  run  the  risk 
of  being  drowned ;  and  with  nothing  on  but 
a  shirt  and  a  pair  of  trowsers,  I  plunged  into 
the  sea  and  swam  for  the  shere,  where  I 
arrived  without  injury,  but  nearly  exhausted 
from  fatigue  and  fear,  not  a  little  augmented 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  35 

by  the  sound  of  the  bullets  that  whistled 
around  my  head  while  in  the  water.  In 
dread  of  pursuit,  I  ran  into  a  corn-field,  and 
finding  my  wet  clothes  an  incumbrance,  I 
stripped  them  off  and  ran  with  all  speed 
through  the  field. 

At  a  little  distance  in  advance  of  me  I 
could  discover  a  number  of  men,  whom  I 
soon  found  to  be  our  ship's  crew,  who  had 
landed  before  me.  My  appearance  among 
them  in  a  state  of  entire  nakedness  excited 
not  a  little  mirth.  "Holloa!  my  boy," 
exclaimed  one  of  them,  "  you  cut  a  pretty 
figure ;  not  from  the  garden  of  Eden,  I  can 
swear  for  it,  for  you  have  not  even  an  apron 
of  fig-leaves  to  cover  you  with ;  you  were 
not  born  to  be  drowned,  I  see,  though  you 
may  live  to  be  hanged."  But  after  a  few 
jests  at  my  expense,  the  mate  took  off  one 
of  the  two  shirts,  with  which  he  had  taken 
the  precaution  to  provide  himself  before  he 
left  the  vessel,  and  gave  it  to  me.  This  gar 
ment  answered  all  the  purposes  of  a  cover 
ing,  as  it  effectually  covered  my  person  from 
my  shoulders  to  my  feet.  After  travelling 
about  half  of  a  mile,  we  came  to  a  house, 


36      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

where  the  good  woman,  taking  pity  on  my 
grotesque  and  unique  condition,  gave  me 
a  decent  suit  of  clothes. 

I  immediately  proceeded  to  Providence, 
where  I  arrived  the  same  day,  and  lost  no 
time  before  visiting  my  good  aunt,  although 
I  had  great  doubts  and  fears  of  the  reception 
I  should  meet  with.  She  was  glad  to  see 
me  again,  but  did  not  lose  the  opportunity 
of  giving  me  a  long  lecture  upon  the  folly 
of  my  conduct  in  leaving  home;  and  ap 
pealed  to  my  candor  to  acknowledge  the 
justice  of  her  reproof,  by  comparing  my 
present  condition  with  what  it  formerly  was. 
The  anxiety  and  distress  of  my  parents,  too, 
were  described  to  me  in  all  the  eloquence 
of  female  affection,  as  an  additional  induce 
ment  to  return  to  them. 

The  misfortunes  I  had  thus  far  experi 
enced,  she  alleged,  I  ought  to  consider  as 
judgments  against  any  more  attempts  to  be 
separated  from  my  friends ;  and  concluded 
with  advising  me,  in  the  kindest  manner,  to 
return  home,  and  with  many  generous  offers 
to  assist  me  and  to  produce  a  reconciliation, 
should  her  assistance  be  found  necessary. 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX. 

I  felt  conscious  that  the  result  of  this 
voyage  did  not  fill  my  mouth  with  argu 
ments  in  favor  of  a  second.  I  went  away 
tolerably  well  clothed,  and  returned  stark 
naked,  but  I  could  not  however  see  the 
force  of  her  reasoning;  nor  make  a  proper 
application  of  it  to  my  circumstances. 

The  minds  of  the  old  and  the  young  are 
differently  constituted,  and  their  modes  of 
thinking,  and  the  train  of  reasoning  they 
pursue  are  entirely  dissimilar.  The  former 
consider  actions  in  connexion  with  their 
consequences,  and  look  to  the  future  good 
or  evil  that  may  arise;  while  the  latter 
regard  only  present  prospect,  and  are  un 
mindful  of  future  events  and  reckless  of  the 
future  calamities  to  which  they  may  be 
exposed.  Youth  rush  into  danger  and  are 
heedless  of  it ;  while  the  aged,  warned  by 
experience,  turn  aside  and  avoid  it.  Find 
ing  me  obstinately  resolved  upon  undertak 
ing  another  voyage,  to  obtain,  as  I  thought, 
some  remuneration  for  the  misfortunes  ex 
perienced  in  the  first,  my  aunt  showed  a 
disposition  to  assist  me  as  readily  as  before 
4 


38       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

and  I  was  soon  comfortably  fitted  out  for  a 
second  expedition. 

Four  days  after  my  arrival  in  Providence, 
I  fortunately  met  with  a  ship-master,  named 
Thomas,  and  engaged  in  his  employ  for  a 
voyage  to  Cape  Francois,  the  port  to  which 
I  sailed  on  my  former  voyage.  We  had  a 
short  passage,  and  arrived  at  our  destined 
port  without  anything  having  transpired 
worthy  of  notice  during  the  voyage. 

We  took  in  a  cargo  similar  to  the  one  we 
received  on  my  former  voyage,  and  set  sail 
for  Providence,  where  we  arrived  after  a 
pleasant  passage  of  eighteen  or  twenty  days. 
I  worked  on  board  the  vessel  several  days, 
assisting  to  unload  her,  and  then  received 
my  wages,  which  had  been  stipulated  at 
four  dollars  per  month. 

With  my  money  in  my  pocket,  the  largest 
sum  I  ever  before  possessed,  and  much 
elated  with  my  success.  I  visited  my  good 
aunt  once  more,  who  received  me  with  much 
joy.  She  assisted  me  with  her  advice  in 
purchasing  some  articles  of  clothing,  that  I 
might  make  a  respectable  appearance  among 
my  friends. 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  39 

thought  I  could  consistently  return 
to  my  native  place ;  and  was  willing  to 
comply  with  the  desire  of  my  aunt  and  my 
own  inclinations,  to  visit  my  parents,  who, 
I  knew,  must  have  suffered  much  anxiety  at 
my  absence,  a  wanderer  they  knew  not 
where,  at  a  time  when  the  country  was  in 
such  a  state  of  commotion  as  to  render  it 
somewhat  hazardous  for  a  youth  like  me  to 
be  without  a  guide  or  protector. 

After  securing  my  clothing  in  a  small 
pack,  I  slung  it  on  my  back,  and  started  on 
foot  for  home,  from  which  I  had  been  absent 
about  six  months.  This  was  the  latter  part 
of  November,  1775. 

My  finances  being  rather  low,  after  de 
ducting  the  expense  of  my  clothing,  I  found 
it  necessary  to  exercise  economy  on  my 
journey,  and  not  indulge  myself  in  enter 
tainment  at  public  houses.  I  found  a  ready 
welcome  at  the  dwellings  of  the  farmers  on 
the  road,  and  was  treated  with  an  abun 
dance  of  bread  and  milk  without  compen 
sation.  I  was  hospitably  received  at  a  re 
spectable  farm-house  the  first  night  on  my 
journey ;  and  on  the  second,  arrived  at  the 


40  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

American  camp  in  Roxbury,  on  Saturday 
evening.  Ascertaining  that  my  parents  had. 
during  my  absence,  removed  to  Dorchester, 
a  distance  of  about  three  miles,  I  felt  too 
much  fatigued  to  seek  their  residence  that 
night,  and  found  comfortable  accommoda 
tions  in  one  of  the  barracks. 

Early  on  Sunday  morning  I  started  for 
Dorchester,  and  soon,  to  my  great  joy  and 
satisfaction,  found  my  parents  in  the  enjoy 
ment  of  good  health,  excepting  my  father, 
who  was  afflicted  with  a  bad  cold  and  was 
lying  asleep  on  the  bed  when  I  entered  the 
house.  My  good  mother  gazed  at  me  with 
the  amazement  of  one  who  had  seen  a  spec 
tre.  She  had  long  before  given  up  all  hopes 
of  ever  seeing  me  again,  having  heard 
nothing  respecting  me  during  my  absence ; 
and,  as  she  was  well  aware  of  my  inclina 
tion  for  a  sailor's  life,  she  had  concluded 
that  I  had  gone  to  sea,  and  that,  in  her  esti 
mation,  was  equivalent  to  being  lost.^ 

*It  may  appear  surprising  to  the  reader  that  my  aunt  a; 
Providence  had  not  informed  my  parents  respecting  my  move 
ments.  To  say  nothing  of  the  fact,  that  she  did  not  possess 
the  pen  of  a  ready  writer,  there  were  no  regular  means  for 
conveying  information  in  those  days.  Mails  and  post-offices, 
now  so  common,  were  then  unknown.  Situated  as  my  aunt 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  41 

As  soon  as  she  had  recovered  from  the 
shock  caused  by  my  sudden  and  unexpected 
appearance,  and  recovered  her  self-posses 
sion,  she  aroused  my  father  with  a  scream  of 
joy  and  the  exclamation  "Our  son  is  return 
ed!37  The  disposition  of  my  father  was 
more  equable  than  that  of  my  mother,  and  his 
feelings  were  less  excitable  than  hers;  conse 
quently  he  exhibited  less  astonishment  at 
sight  of  me,  though  he  felt  as  much  pleasure 
on  the  occasion.  Neither  had  he  yielded  to 
those  fears  for  my  safety  which  had  taken 
possession  of  my  mother's  mind;  or  else  he 
had  endeavored  to  conceal  his  apprehensions 
in  order  to  pacify  hers ;  constantly  encourag 
ing  her  with  the  hope  that  I  "  should,  no 
doubt,  be  taken  care  of.'7 

My  mother  was  about  commencing  an 
endless  train  of  questions  respecting  my 
adventures,  but,  intimating  that  I  was 
hungry,  having  had  no  breakfast,  she  post 
poned  the  gratification  of  her  curiosity  to 
attend  to  my  animal  wants. 

was,  she  could  have  but  little  access  to  travellers,  and  being 
very  domestic  in  her  habits,  she  was  seldom  out  of  the  house 
of  her  employer. 


42  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

While  impatiently  watching  the  progresr 
of  my  mother  in  her  culinary  operations,  my 
father,  with  much  gravity  and  solemnity  of 
manner,  addressed  me  as  follows:  — "  My 
son,  I  am  much  surprised  and  grieved  that 
you  should  have  left  home  in  the  manner 
you  did,  without  giving  us  any  means  to 
ascertain  your  fate,  or  what  your  intentions 
were.  If  you  had  any  cause  for  complaint, 
and  thought  yourself  ill-treated,  why  did 
you  not  inform  me,  and  I  would  have  seen 
iustice  done?1'  With  the  sense  of  wrongs, 
either  real  or  imaginary,  still  rankling  in  my 
breast,  I  replied  that  I  had  done  so,  re 
peatedly,  but  no  attention  had  been  paid  to 
my  complaints ;  and  that  I  had  often  told 
my  mother  that  I  intended  to  go  forth  into 
the  world  for  the  purpose  of  improving  my 
condition.  "  Since  you  have  been  preserved 
from  any  serious  disaster,"  continued  my 
father,  "  and  no  evil  consequences  have 
resulted  from  the  imprudent  steps  you  have 
taken,  I  hope  you  will  abandon,  all  such 
schemes  in  future.  You  can  remain  at 
home  until  you  are  old  enough  to  learn  a 
trade,  and  then  choose  one  for  yourself. 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  43 

At  this  time  my  father  found  abundance 
of  employment  in  working  at  his  trade  for 
the  soldiers  in  the  American  camp.  During 
the  winter  I  improved  the  time  in  attending 
a  school,  and  making  myself  useful  in 
various  ways  to  my  parents.  I  often  visited 
the  American  camp,  and  endeavored  by 
conversing  with  the  soldiers  to  ascertain 
what  plans  were  formed  for  their  future 
operations.  My  father  having  a  large  family 
to  maintain  by  his  industry,  I  felt  unwilling 
to  remain  at  home,  a  burden  upon  him,  and 
was  desirous  of  supporting  myself.  My 
brother  James,  who  was  two  years  older 
than  myself,  had  likewise  been  at  home 
during  the  preceding  winter;  and  it  was 
thought  expedient  that  both  of  us  should 
learn  some  useful  trade. 


44      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER  III. 

UNINTERRUPTED  intercourse  being  now 
established  between  the  country  and  the 
town,  my  brother  and  myself  were  sent  into 
Boston  to  choose  our  trades  and  seek  our 
employers.  James  found  a  situation  in  the 
bakery  of  Mr.  Edward  Tuckerman,^  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town,  as  an  apprentice 
upon  probation;  and  I  found  employment 
in  the  shop  of  Mr.  John  Bosson,  a  barber  and 
manufacturer  of  wigs,  upon  the  same  condi 
tions. 

After  we  had  been  in  these  situations 
long  enough  for  all  parties  to  be  satisfied, 
we  were  bound  by  my  father  in  regular 
form  as  apprentices. 

The  trade  of  a  barber  in  those  days  was 
very  different  from  what  it  now  is.  My 
principal  employment  was  in  the  preparation 
of  hair  for  the  purposes  of  wigs,  crapc- 

*  Father  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Tuckerman,  who  was  dis 
tinguished  for  his  benevolence  and  philanthropy. 


OF   EBENEZER    FOX.  45 

cushions,  &c. ;  being  occasionally  allowed  to 
scrape  the  face  of  some  transient  customer, 
who  might  be  reasonably  expected  never  to 
call  again  for  a  repetition  of  the  operation. 

In  Mr.  Bosson's  service  I  continued  until 
I  was  sixteen  years  old,  and  made  laudable 
progress  in  the  mysteries  of  his  art. 

The  war  at  this  time  was  fiercely  main 
tained  between  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain;  and  as  soldiers  were  wanted,  a 
draught  was  made  upon  the  militia  of  Mas 
sachusetts  for  a  quota  of  men  to  march  to 
New  York,  to  reinforce  the  American  army 
then  in  the  vicinity  of  that  city.  My  mas 
ter  was  unfortunately  among  the  number 
draughted  for  that  service.  As  he  did  not 
possess  a  great  degree  of  military  spirit,  he 
was  much  distressed  at  the  demand  thus 
suddenly  made  upon  his  patriotism.  One 
day,  while  my  fellow- apprentice  and  myself 
were  at  work,  Mr.  Bosson  entered  the  shop 
laboring  under  great  agitation  of  mind.  It 
was  evident  that  something  had  happened 
to  discompose  his  temper,  which  was  natur 
ally  somewhat  irritable.  He  walked  rapidly 
about,  occasionally  stopping,  and  honing 


46       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

several  razors  that  he  had  put  in  perfect 
order  previous  to  his  going  out;  and  attempt 
ing  to  sharpen  a  pair  of  shears  that  at  the 
time  bore  the  keenest  edge ;  he  furnished  us 
with  much  food  for  conjecture  as  to  the 
cause  of  his  strange  conduct.  At  length, 
from  various  ejaculations,  and  now  and  then 
a  half-smothered  curse  upon  his  ill  luck,  we 
gathered  the  fact,  that  he  was  enrolled 
among  the  soldiers  who  were  soon  to  take 
up  the  line  of  march  for  New  York.  This 
was  an  unfortunate  business  for  him;  a 
reality  he  had  not  anticipated.  The  idea  of 
shouldering  a  musket,  buckling  on  a  knap 
sack,  leaving  his  quiet  family,  and  march 
ing  several  hundred  miles  for  the  good  of 
his  country,  never  took  a  place  in  his  mind. 
Although  a  firm  friend  to  his  country,  and 
willing  to  do  all  he  could  to  help  along  her 
cause,  as  far  as  expressing  favorable  opin 
ions  and  good  wishes  availed,  yet  there  was 
an  essential  difference  in  his  mind  between 
the  theory  and  the  art  of  war ;  between  act 
ing  the  soldier,  and  triumphing  at  the 
soldier's  success. 

The  reality  of  his  position  operated  as  a 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  47 

safety-valve  to  let  off  the  steam  of  his  patriot 
ism,  and  to  leave  him  in  a  state  of  languor 
well  calculated  to  produce  in  him  a  degree 
of  resignation  for  remaining  at  home.  But 
what  was  to  be  done?  A  substitute  could 
not  be  obtained  for  the  glory  that  might  be 
acquired  in  the  service ;  arid  as  for  money, 
no  hopes  could  be  entertained  of  raising 
sufficient  for  the  purpose.  Mr.  Bosson  con 
tinued  to  fidget  about,  uttering  such  expres 
sions  as  his  excited  feelings  prompted, 
allowing  us  to  catch  a  disconnected  sen 
tence,  such  as  :  "  Hard  times don't 

need  two  apprentices  any  more  than  a  toad 

needs  a  tail;'7 "  if  either  of  you  had  the 

spunk  of  a  louse,  you  would  offer  to  go  for 
me."  With  this  last  remark  he  quit  the 
shop  apparently  in  high  dudgeon. 

The  truth  was  now  evident,  that  he 
wanted  somebody  to  take  his  place. 

To  provide  ways  and  means  of  payment 
T/as  the  principal  obstacle  in  the  way  of 
hiring  a  substitute.  Gold  and  silver  had 
scarcely  a  physical  existence  in  the  country, 
and  the  want  of  a  circulating  medium  was 
attempted  to  be  supplied  by  the  legislative 


48       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

acts  of  government  in  issuing  an  excessive 
quantity  of  paper  money,  which,  as  it  never 
had  any  intrinsic  value,  soon  degenerated 
from  its  nominal  worth  with  progressive 
rapidity.  From  1777  to  1781  the  state  of 
the  money  was  so  fluctuating  that  no  certain 
calculation  could  be  made  of  its  value ;  for  it 
was  not  two  days  at  a  time  of  the  same 
value.  The  depreciation  continued,  till  pru 
dent  people  declined  taking  it  at  any  rate; 
and  they,  who  did,  received  it  at  a  deprecia 
tion  of  several  hundreds  for  one.  While 
such  a  state  of  things  continued,  all  kinds  of 
business  was  prostrate.  The  laborer,  though 
"  worthy  of  his  hire,77  could  not  obtain  any 
thing  for  it.  Patriotism,  more  than  a  love 
of  gain,  prompted  men  to  join  the  army. 
More  were  willing  to  enlist  voluntarily  than 
to  serve  in  the  capacity  of  substitutes  for  an 
uncertain  compensation.  My  master,  there 
fore,  had  but  little  hope  of  finding  any  one 
willing  to  serve  in  his  stead. 

The  spirit  of  adventure  had  been  sup 
pressed,  but  not  destroyed,  within  me.  The 
monotonous  duties  of  the  shop  grew  irksome, 
and  I  longed  for  some  employment  produc- 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  49 

five  of  variety.  The  opportunity  seemed 
favorable  to  my  desires ;  and.  as  my  elder 
fellow-apprentice  was  fearful  that  he  might 
be  called  upon,  he  encouraged  me  in  the 
project,  and  I  resolved  upon  offering  my 
services. 

Mr.  Bosson  accepted  my  proposition  to 
act  as  his  substitute  with  a  great  degree  of 
satisfaction  and  gratitude,  which  he  evinced 
by  a  liberal  supply  of  clothing  and  equip 
ments  for  the  service.  He  did  not  suffer  my 
zeal  to  cool,  but  immediately  gave  directions 
to  have  me  enrolled  and  enlisted  for  three 
months,  in  a  company  commanded  by  Capt. 
William  Bird  of  Boston,  in  a  regiment  under 
Colonel  Proctor. 

Early  in  the  month  of  September,  1779, 
being  not  quite  sixteen,  the  age  required  at 
that  time  for  the  militia  service,  our  com 
pany  was  paraded  on  Boston  common,  and 
with  a  heavy  knapsack  on  my  back,  and  a 
gun  on  my  shoulder,  superior  in  weight  to 
those  carried  by  soldiers  at  the  present  time, 
we  took  up  the  line  of  march. 

We  halted  at  Roxbury  to  take  under  our 
protection  six  baggage  wagons  of  ammuni- 
5 


50  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

tion,  and  commenced  our  march  for  Peeks^ 
Kill,  in  the  state  of  New  York. 

During  our  march,  several  little  events 
transpired,  which  serve  to  show  to  what 
losses  and  vexations  the  inhabitants  of  a 
country  are  exposed  when  troops  are  moving 
through  their  territories.  One  afternoon 
some  geese  were  discovered  enjoying  them 
selves  in  a  pond  near  the  road ;  and  one  of 
the  soldiers,  thinking  that  a  little  poultry 
would  not  be  an  unacceptable  addition  to 
our  bill  of  fare,  threw  a  stone  among  them 
and  killed  one  of  the  largest  of  the  flock. 

The  prize  was  secured  and  concealed  by 
taking  off  the  head  of  a  drum  and  putting  the 
goose  into  it,  and  then  restoring  the  instru 
ment  to  its  former  appearance.  The  owner 
of  the  poultry  followed  and  complained  to 
the  commanding  officer  of  this  depredation 
on  his  property.  We  halted  long  enough  to 
have  the  wagons  searched,  but  the  goose 
was  not  found;  and  we  were  allowed  to 
march  on.  When  the  camp  fires  were 
kindled  at  night,  the  goose  was  roasted,  and 
our  captain  did  not  hesitate  to  eat  a  leg 
wing,  and  a  piece  of  the  breast  without 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX. 

troubling  us  with  any  questions  respecting 
our  right  of  possession. 

A  few  days  subsequent  to  this  event,  we 
halted  one  evening,  after  a  tiresome  day's 
march,  at  a  well-provided  farming  establish 
ment  belonging  to  an  old  Quaker.  Permis 
sion  was  asked  to  allow  us  to  lodge  in  some 
of  his  spacious  barns,  but  the  old  man  would 
not  give  his  consent,  alleging  that  his  prin 
ciples  were  opposed  to  the  spirit  of  war,  and 
that  he  could  not  aid  those  who  were  en 
gaged  in  mortal  contests.  We  urged  him  to 
consider  our  fatigue,  our  wants,  and  the  perils 
to  which  we  were  exposed  for  the  good  of 
the  country ;  but  these  appeals  produced  no 
change  in  his  purpose.  Finding  that  solici 
tation  and  entreaty  were  vain,  we  changed 
our  tone,  and  peremptorily  demanded  accom 
modations.  As  refusal  would  have  been 
useless  to  men  tired  and  hungry  as  we  were, 
and  possessing  the  physical  force  to  exact 
compliance,  he  reluctantly  consented  to  our 
sleeping  in  an  old  building,  that  seemed  to 
have  been  erected  for  some  mechanical  pur 
pose.  This  was  all  we  could  obtain,  for  he 
refused  to  sell  us  bread,  or  milk,  or  any 


52       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

eatable ;  and  even  to  permit  our  commancJe* 
to  lodge  in  his  house. 

Such  inhospitable  treatment  was  rare  in 
those  days.  The  wants  of  the  soldiers,  the 
defenders  of  their  country,  were  generally 
cheerfully  supplied;  and  they,  who  were 
not  engaged  in  active  service,  were  willing 
to  contribute  all  in  their  power  to  the  com 
fort  and  sustenance  of  the  soldier. 

In  the  building,  to  which  we  were  admit 
ted,  we  found  a  large  kettle  or  boiler,  which 
we  filled  with  water,  and  made  a  fire  under 
it.  Late  at  night  a  party  was  sent  out  to 
search  the  premises  and  to  seize  whatever 
could  be  found  capable  of  being  converted 
to  our  benefit,  or  of  contributing  to  our 
physical  wants. 

In  an  orchard  belonging  to  the  Quaker  a 
large  number  of  fowls  were  found  quietly 
roosting  upon  the  trees,  little  dreaming  of 
the  murderous  attack  about  to  be  made 
upon  them.  Efetween  thirty  and  forty  were 
captured,  to  whom  no  quarters  were  given, 
and  brought  into  the  camp.  The  feathers 
were  quickly  plucked,  and  the  bodies  were 
scalded  in  the  kettle.  Afterwards  they 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  53 

were  stowed  away  in  our  knapsacks,  and  a 
party  sufficient  to  carry  the  plunder  were 
sent  on  in  advance. 

We  started  early  the  next  morning,  and, 
after  a  march  of  about  fifteen  miles,  we 
overtook  the  party  in  advance  with  the  half- 
cooked  poultry.  The  inhospitable  spirit, 
manifested  "by  the  Quaker,  was  the  cause  of 
a  much  greater  loss  to  him  than  he  would 
have  suffered,  had  he  shown  a  disposition 
to  afford  us  some  trifling  accommodations. 

We  halted  at  a  farm  house,  and,  having 
borrowed  a  large  brass  kettle,  emptied  the 
contents  of  the  knapsacks  into  it.  combining 
therewith  a  goodly  quantity  of  onions,  pota 
toes,  and  carrots,  and  soon  converted  the 
heterogeneous  mass  into  what  we  called  a 
chicken  soup,  which,  though  it  might  not 
have  been  very  palatable  to  an  epicure,  was 
not  to  be  despised  by  a  company  of  hungry 
soldiers. 

After  a  fatiguing  march  of  five  or  six 
days,  we  arrived  at  Peeks-Kill,  and  deliv 
ered  to  the  commander  there  our  wagons  of 
ammunition,  and  then  marched  to  Albany. 

While  we  remained  at  Albany,  we  were 


54  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

quartered  in  what  was  then  called  the  "old 
French  fort."  We  remained  here  about  six 
weeks,  when,  General  Washington  having 
changed  his  plan  of  operations,  and  aban 
doned  his  design  of  attacking  New  York, 
and  our  services  being  no  longer  needed,  we 
were  discharged,  to  get  home  in  the  best 
way  we  could. 

When  we  left  Boston,  each  of  us  received 
three  thousand  dollars  in  Continental  money; 
of  the  value  of  which  the  reader  may  have 
already  formed  some  idea,  and  it  had  not 
risen  since  our  departure,  for  we  found  on 
our  return  that  from  one  hundred  to  one 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  of  it  were  required 
for  a  simple  repast.  In  addition  to  this 
compensation,  our  monthly  pay  was  forty 
shillings,  in  the  same  valuable  currency. 
My  clothes  were  much  worn  and  damaged 
in  the  service,  and  upon  our  return  were 
found  in  a  very  shabby  condition,  especially 
my  shoes.  Of  these  I  had  two  pairs,  but  the 
good  judgment  of  a  thief  was  shown  by 
stealing  the  better  pair  one  night  while  I 
was  asleep,  leaving  me  no  other  alternative 
but  to  go  barefoot,  or  secure  the  remaining 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  55 

ones  to  my  feet  by  winding  rope-yarn  around 
them  in  the  form  of  bandages. 

My  feet  were  covered  with  blisters  while 
(  marched  over  the  frozen  ground  and  snow; 
<uid  thus,  almost  crippled,  and  worn  down 
ivith  fatigue,  I  arrived  at  my  father's  in 
Roxbury,  whiti'ier  he  had  returned,  after  an 
Absence  of  about  two  months. 

After  resting  a  few  days  at  home,  and  re- 
-overmg  my  strength  and  spirits,  I  returned 
«o  Mr.  Bosson,  abundantly  satisfied  with  the 
specimen  I  had  experienced  of  a  soldier's 
fife,  assuring  him  that  nothing  would  again 
induce  me  to  officiate  as  a  substitute  for  him 
0*  anybody  else. 


06  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER  IV. 

I  CONTINUED  to  perform  my  duties  in  the 
shop,  and  was  contented  with  my  employ 
ment  till  I  was  about  seventeen  years  of 
age,  when  a  spirit  of  roving  once  more  got 
possession  of  me ;  and  I  expressed  a  desire 
to  go  to  sea.  The  condition  of  the  country 
was  at  this  time  distressing;  and,  as  my 
master  had  not  more  business  than  he  and 
one  apprentice  could  perform,  he  expressed 
a  willingness  to  consent,  upon  condition 
that  he  should  receive  one  half  of  my  wages 
and  the  same  proportion  of  whatever  prize 
money  might  fall  to  my  share. 

Our  coast  was  lined  with  British  cruisers, 
which  had  almost  annihilated  our  com 
merce;  and  the  state  of  Massachusetts 
judged  it  expedient  to  build  a  government 
vessel,  rated  as  a  twenty-gun  ship,  named 
the  "  Protector,"  commanded  by  Captain 
John  Foster  Williams.  She  was  to  be  fitted 
out  for  service  as  soon  as  possible,  to  pro- 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  57 

tect  our  commerce,  and  to  annoy  the  enemy. 
A  rendezvous  was  established  for  recruits 
at  the  head  of  Hancock's  wharf,  where  the 
national  flag,  then  bearing  thirteen  stripes 
and  stars,  was  hoisted.  All  means  were 
resorted  to,  which  ingenuity  could  devise, 
to  induce  men  to  enlist.  A  recruiting  offi 
cer,  bearing  a  flag  and  attended  by  a  band 
of  martial  music,  paraded  the  streets,  to 
excite  a  thirst  for  glory  and  a  spirit  of  mili 
tary  ambition. 

The  recruiting  officer  possessed  the  qual 
ifications  requisite  to  make  the  service 
appear  alluring,  especially  to  the  young 
He  was  a  jovial,  good-natured  fellow,  of 
ready  wit  and  much  broad  humor.  Crowds 
followed  in  his  wake  when  he  marched 
the  streets ;  and  he  occasionally  stopped  at 
the  corners  to  harangue  the  multitude,  in 
order  to  excite  their  patriotism  and  zeal  for 
the  cause  of  liberty. 

When  he  espied  any  large  "boys  among 
the  idle  crowd  around  him,  he  would  at 
tract  their  attention  by  singing  in  a  comical 
manner  the  following  doggerel : 


58       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

"  All  you  that  have  bad  masters 
And  cannot  get  your  due  ; 
Come,  come,  my  brave  boys, 
And  join  with  our  ship's  crew." 

A  shout  and  a  huzza  would  follow,  and  some 
would  join  in  the  ranks.  My  excitable 
feelings  were  roused ;  I  repaired  to  the  ren 
dezvous,  signed  the  ship's  papers,  mounted 
a  cockade,  and  Avas  in  my  own  estimation 
already  more  than  half  of  a  sailor.  The 
ship  was  as  yet  far  from  being  supplied 
with  her  complement  of  men;  and  the 
recruiting  business  went  on  slowly.  Ap 
peals  continued  to  be  made  to  the  patriotism 
of  every  young  man  to  lend  his  aid,  by  his 
exertions  on  sea  or  land,  to  free  his  country 
from  the  common  enemy.  Promises  of  gain 
were  held  out,  which  set  truth  at  defiance, 
and  offers  the  most  tempting  that  the  im 
poverished  state  of  the  finances  of  govern 
ment  c'ould  promise.  About  the  last  of 
February  the  ship  was  ready  to  receive  her 
crew,  and  was  hauled  off  into  channel,  that 
the  sailors,  might  have  no  opportunity  to 
run  away  after  they  were  got  on  board. 
Upwards  of  three  hundred  and  thirty  men 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  59 

were  carried,  dragged,  and  driven  on  bo^rd, 
of  all  kinds,  ages,  and  descriptions,  in  all 
the  various  stages  of  intoxication ;  from 
that  of  "  sober  tipsiness"  to  beastly  drunk 
enness,  with  the  uproar  and  clamor  that 
may  be  more  easily  imagined  than  described. 
Such  a  motley  group  has  never  been  seen 
since  FalstafFs  ragged  regiment  paraded 
the  streets  of  Coventry. 

The  wind  being  fair,  we  weighed  anchor 
and  dropped  down  to  Nantasket  roads, 
where *we  lay  till  about  the  first  of  April; 
and  then  set  sail  for  a  cruise  of  six  months. 
Our  course  was  first  directly  eastward; 
and,  while  keeping  along  the  coast,  we 
espied  two  English  ships  of  war,  each  car 
rying  sixteen  or  eighteen  guns.  We  imme 
diately  gave  chase ;  but  to  our  surprise  and 
regret  they  avoided  an  engagement,  and 
made  all  sail  from  us.  In  consequence  of 
having  coppered  bottoms,  the  sloops  were 
better  sailers  than  our  ship,  which  was  not 
coppered,  and  they  made  their  escape. 
Their  conduct  was  inexplicable  to  us,  as 
each,  without  cooperation,  was  of  force  suf 
ficient  to  be  a  match  for  us ;  and  both,  act- 


60  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

ing  in  concert,  might  have  given  us  cause 
to  repent,  had  we  come  in  contact  with 
them. 

We  continued  to  cruise  along  the  coast 
for  a  few  weeks,  without  meeting  with  any 
of  the  enemy,  when,  some  indications  of 
tempestuous  weather  appearing,  our  cap 
tain  judged  it  expedient  to  steer  for  the 
banks  of  Newfoundland,  that  he  might  have 
more  sea  room  in  case  of  a  gale.  We  ar 
rived  off  the  banks,  where  we  cruised  for 
nearly  eight  weeks,  most  of  the  time  in  a 
dense  fog,  without  meeting  with  friend  or 
foe. 

On  the  morning  of  June  9th,  1780,  the 
fog  began  to  clear  away;  and  the  man  at 
the  mast-head  gave  notice  that  he  saw  a 
ship  to  the  westward  of  us.  As  the  fog 
cleared  up,  we  perceived  her  to  be  a  large 
ship  under  English  colors  to  the  windward, 
standing  athwart  our  starboard  bow.  Our 
relative  position  gave  us  an  opportunity  to 
escape,  but  our  valiant  captain  did  not  see 
fit  to  avail  himself  of  it. 

As  she  came  down  upon  us,  she  appeared 
as  large  as  a  seventy-four;  and  we  were 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  61 

not  deceived  respecting  her  size,  for  it  after 
wards  proved  that  she  was  an  old  East-In- 
diaman,  of  eleven-hundred  tons  burden, 
fitted  out  as  a  letter-of-marque  for  the  West- 
India  trade,  mounted  with  thirty-two  guns, 
and  furnished  with  a  complement  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men.  She  was  called 
the  Admiral  Duff,  commanded  by  Richard 
Strang,  from  St.  Christopher^  and  St.  Eu- 
statia,  laden  with  sugar  and  tobacco,  and 
bound  to  London.  I  was  standing  near  our 
first  lieutenant,  Mr.  Little,  who  was  calmly 
examining  the  enemy,  as  she  approached, 
with  his  spy-glass,  when  Captain  Williams 
stepped  up  and  asked  his  opinion  of  her. 
The  lieutenant  applied  the  glass  to  his  eye 
again  and  took  a  deliberate  look  in  silence, 
and  replied,  "I  think  she  is  a  heavy  ship 
and  that  we  shall  have  some  hard  fighting; 
but  of  one  thing  I  am  certain,  she  is  not  a 
frigate;  if  she  were,  she  would  not  keep 
yawing,  and  showing  her  broadsides  aa 
she  does ;  she  would  show  nothing  but  liei 
head  and  stern ;  we  shall  have  the  advan 

*  Commonly  called  St.  Kitts. 

6 


62       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

tage  of  her,  and  the  quicker  we  get  along 
side  the  better."  Our  captain  ordered 
English  colors  to  be  hoisted,  and  the  ship 
to  be  cleared  for  action.  The  shrill  pipe  of 
the  boatswain  summoned  all  hands  to  their 
duty.  The  bedding  and  hammocks  of  the 
sailors  were  brought  up  from  between 
decks ;  the  bedding  placed  in  the  hammocks, 
and  lashed  up  in  the  nettings ;  our  courses 
hauled  up;  the  top-gallant  sails  clewed 
down ;  and  every  preparation  was  made, 
which  a  skilful  officer  could  suggest,  or  ac 
tive  sailors  perform. 

The  enemy  approached  till  within  musket 
shot  of  us.  The  two  ships  were  so  near  to 
each  other  that  we  could  distinguish  the 
officers  from  the  men;  and  I  particularly 
noticed  the  captain  on  the  gang-way,  a 
noble-looking  man,  having  a  large  gold- 
laced  cocked  hat  on  his  head,  and  a  speak 
ing-trumpet  in  his  hand.  Lieutenant  Little 
possessed  a  powerful  voice,  and  he  was  di 
rected  to  hail  the  enemy ;  at  the  same  time 
the  quarter-master  was  ordered  to  stand 
ready  to  haul  down  the  English  flag  and  to 
hoist  up  the  American.  Our  lieutenant 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  63 

took  his  station  on  the  after  part  of  the 
starboard  gangway,  and,  elevating  the 
trumpet,  exclaimed,  "  Hallo !  whence  come 
you?77  —  "From  Jamaica,  bound  to  Lon 
don,"  was  the  answer.  "What  is  the 
ship's  name?"  inquired  the  lieutenant, 
"The  Admiral  Duff,"  was  the  reply.  • 

The  English  captain  then  thought  it  his 
turn  to  interrogate,  and  asked  the  name  of 
our  ship.  Lieutenant  Little,  in  order  to 
gain  time,  put  the  trumpet  to  his  ear.  pre 
tending  not  to  hear  the  question.  During 
the  short  interval,  thus  gained,  Captain 
Williams  called  upon  the  gunner  to  ascer 
tain  how  many  guns  could  be  brought  to 
bear  upon  the  enemy.  "Five,"  was  the 
answer.  "  Then  lire,  and  shift  the  colors," 
were  the  orders.  The  cannons  poured 
forth  their  deadly  contents,  and,  with  the 
first  flash,  the  American  flag  took  the  place 
of  the  British  ensign  at  our  mast-head. 

The  compliment  was  returned  in  the 
form  of  a  full  broad-side,  and  the  action 
commenced.  I  was  stationed  on  the  edge 
of  the  quarter-deck,  to  sponge  and  load  a 
six-pounder;  this  position  gave  me  a  fine 


64        REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

opportunity  to  see  the  whole  action.  Broad* 
sides  were  exchanged  with  great  rapidity 
for  nearly  an  hour;  our  fire,  as  we  after 
wards  ascertained,  produced  a  terrible 
slaughter  among  the  enemy,  while  our  loss 
was  as  yet  trifling.^ 

I  happened  to  be  looking  for  a  moment 
towards  the  main  deck,  when  a  large  shot 
same  through  our  ship's  side  and  killed  Mr. 

*  After  these  pages  were  written,  I  ascertained  that  Mr. 
Frederick  Lane,  of  Boston,  a  relative  of  Captain  John  Foster 
Williams,  had  in  his  possession  the  original  log-book  of  the 
ship  Protector.  Mr.  Lane  had  the  politeness  to  send  it  to 
me,  and  I  have  made  the  following  extracts  verbatim  from 
one  of  its  pages. 

"June  9th,  1780. 

"  At  7  A.  M.  saw  a  ship  to  the  Westward,  we  stood  for 
her  under  English  Colors,  the  Ship  standing  athaught  us, 
under  English  Colours,  appeared  to  be  a  large  ship.  At  11 
came  along  side  of  her,  hailed  her,  she  answered  from  Ja 
maica.  I  shifted  my  colours  and  gave  her  a  Broadside,  she 
soon  returned  us  another,  the  action  was  very  heavy  for  near 
three  Glasses,  when  she  took  fire  and  blew  up —  got  out  the 
Boats  to  save  the  men,  took  up  55  of  them,  the  greatest  part 
of  them  wounded  with  our  shot  and  Burnt  when  the  ship 
Blew  up,  she  was  called  the  Adml.  Duff  of  32  Guns, 
Cornman'd  by  Richard  Strang  from  St.  Kitts  and  Estatia, 
Ladened  with  Sugar  and  Tobacco  bound  to  London.  We 
Lost  in  the  action  one  man,  Mr.  Benja.  Scollay  and  5 
wounded.  Rec'd  several  Shot  in  our  Hull,  and  several  of  our 
ihrouds  and  stays  shot  away." 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  65 

Benjamin  Scollay,  a  very  promising  young 
man,  who  was,  I  think,  a  midshipman.  At 
this  moment  a  shot  from  one  of  our  marines 
killed  the  man  at  the  wheel  of  the  enemy's 
ship,  and,  his  place  not  heing  immediately 
supplied,  she  was  brought  alongside  of  us 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  bring  her  bowsprit 
directly  across  our  forecastle.  Not  know 
ing  the  cause  of  this  movement,  we  supposed 
it  to  be  the  intention  of  the  enemy  to  board 
.us.  Our  boarders  were  ordered  to  be  ready 
with  their  pikes  to  resist  any  such  attempt, 
while  our  guns  on  the  main  deck  were 
sending  death  and  destruction  among  the 
crew  of  the  enemy.  Their  principal  object 
now  seemed  to  be  to  get  liberated  from  us, 
and  by  cutting  away  some  of  their  rigging, 
they  were  soon  clear,  and  at  the  distance 
of  a  pistol  shot. 

The  action  was  then  renewed,  with  addi 
tional  fury;  broadside  for  broadside  con 
tinued  with  unabated  vigor;  at  times  so 
near  to  each  other  that  the  muzzles  of  our 
guns  came  almost  in  contact,  then  again  at 
such  a  distance  as  to  allow  of  taking  delib 
erate  aim.  The  contest  was  obstinately 


66  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

continued  by  the  enemy,  although  we  could 
perceive  that  great  havoc  was  made  among 
them,  and  that  it  was  with  much  difficulty 
that  their  men  were  compelled  to  remain  at 
their  quarters. 

A  charge  of  grape-shot  came  in  at  one  of 
our  port-holes,  which  dangerously  wounded 
four  or  five  .of  our  men,  among  whom  was 
our  third  lieutenant,  Mr.  Little,  brother  to 
the  first.  His  life  was  despaired  of,  but  by 
he  kind  attention  he  received  from  his 
rother,  and  the  surgeon,  he  finally  re 
covered,  though  he  bore  evidence  of  the 
severity  of  his  wounds  through  life. 

While  Captain  Williams  was  walking 
the  quarter  deck,  which  he  did  during  the 
whole  action,  a  shot  from  the  enemy  struck 
the  speaking  trumpet  from  his  hand  and 
sent  it  to  a  considerable  distance  from  him. 
He  picked  it  up  with  great  calmness  of 
manner,  and  resumed  his  walk,  without 
appearing  to  have  been  at  all  disturbed  by 
the  circumstance. 

The  battle  still  continued  with  unabated 
vigor  on  both  sides,  till  our  marksmen  had 
Killed  or  wounded  all  the  men  in  the  fore, 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  67 

main,  and  mizen  tops  of  the  enemy.  The 
action  had  now  lasted  about  an  hour  and  a 
half,  and  the  fire  from  the  enemy  began  to 
slacken,  when  we  suddenly  discovered  that 
\11  the  sails  on  her  mainmast  were  envel- 
>ped  in  a  blaze.  The  fire  spread  with  amaz- 
_ng  rapidity,  and,  running  down  the  after- 
Egging,  it  soon  communicated  with  her 
.nagazine,  when  her  whole  stern  was  blown 
off,  and  her  valuable  cargo  emptied  into  the 
sea.  All  feelings  of  hostility  now  ceased, 
and  those  of  pity  were  excited  in  our  breasts 
for  the  miserable  crew  that  survived  the 
catastrophe. 

Our  enemy's  ship  was  now  a  complete 
wreck,  though  she  still  floated,  and  the  sur 
vivors  were  endeavoring  to  save  themelvess 
in  the  only  boat  that  had  escaped  the  gene 
ral  destruction.  The  humanity  of  our  cap 
tain  urged  him  to  make  all  possible  exer 
tion  to  save  the  miserable,  wounded,  and 
burnt  wretches,  who  were  struggling  for 
their  lives  in  the  water.  The  ship  of  the 
enemy  was  greatly  our  superior  in  size,  and 
lay  much  higher  out  of  the  water. 

Our  boats  had  been  much  exposed  to  his 


68  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

fire,  as  they  were  placed  on  spars  between 
the  fore  and  main  masts  during  the  action, 
and  had  suffered  considerable  damage. 
The  carpenters  were  ordered  to  repair  them 
with  the  utmost  expedition,  and  we  got 
them  out  in  season  to  take  up  fifty-five  men, 
the  greater  part  of  whom  had  been  wounded 
by  our  shot  or  burned  when  the  powder 
magazine  exploded.  These  men  exhibited 
a  spectacle  truly  heart-rending  to  behold. 
Their  limbs  were  mutilated  by  all  manner 
of  wounds,  while  some  were  burned  to  such 
a  degree  that  the  skin  was  nearly  flayed  from 
their  bodies.  Our  surgeon  and  his  assistants 
had  just  completed  the  task  of  dressing  the 
wounds  of  our  own  crew,  and  then  they 
directed  their  attention  to  the  wounded  of 
the  enemy.  Several  of  them  suffered  the 
arnptutation  of  their  limbs,  and  the  wounds 
of  the  others  were  treated  in  a  skilful 
manner,  and  every  attention  was  paid  to 
them  which  our  circumstances  would  allow. 
Five  of  them  died  of  their  wounds,  and  were 
committed  to  their  watery  graves.  From 
the  survivors  we  learned,  that  the  British 
commander  had  frequently  expressed  a 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  69 

desire  to  come  in  contact  with  a  "Yankee 
frigate/'  during  his  voyage,  that  he  might 
have  a  prize  to  carry  to  London.  Poor 
fellow !  he  little  thought  of  losing  his  ship 
and  his  life  in  an  engagement  with  a  ship  so 
much  inferior  to  his  own — with  an  enemy 
upon  whom  he  looked  with  so  much 
contempt. 

We  ascertained  that  the  loss  of  the  enemy 
was  prodigious,  compared  with  ours.  This 
disparity  however  will  not  appear  so  re 
markable,  when  it  is  considered  that,  al 
though  their  ship  was  larger  than  ours,  it 
was  not  so  well  supplied  with  men ;  having 
no  marines  to  use  the  musket,  they  fought 
with  their  guns  alone,  and,  as  their  ship  lay 
much  higher  out  of  the  water  than  ours,  the 
greater  part  of  their  shot  went  over  us, 
cutting  our  rigging  and  sails,  without  in 
juring  our  men.  We  had  about  seventy 
marines,  who  did  great  execution  with  their 
muskets,  picking  oif  the  officers  and  men 
with  a  sure  and  deliberate  aim. 

After  the  action  was  over,  I  found  that  I 
was  so  deaf,  as  to  cause  me  to  fear  that  I 
had  totally  lost  the  sense  of  hearing.  I 


70  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

attributed  this  to  the  noise  of  the  cannon, 
which  I  had  been  employed  in  loading  and 
sponging  for  such  a  period  of  time.  It  was 
nearly  a  week  before  my  hearing  was  re 
stored,  and  then  but  partially;  and,  ever 
since,  I  have  experienced  great  inconven 
ience  from  this  deafness. 

In  all  our  naval  engagements,  both  in  the 
revolutionary  war  and  the  subsequent  one, 
there  has  been  a  great  inequality  of  loss 
among  the  contending  parties.  The  history 
of  our  naval  actions  offers  abundant  testi 
mony  to  corroborate  the  truth  of  this  state 
ment.  Its  cause,  to  me,  is  inexplicable. 

Our  sailors  were  busily  employed  in  pick 
ing  up  the  various  articles  that  were  floating, 
and  getting  them  on  board,  while  the  car 
penters  and  riggers  were  engaged  in  repair 
ing  the  damages  we  had  received.  The 
ship  was  soon  in  good  order  and  prepared 
again  to  meet  the  enemy,  and  we  continued 
on  our  cruise. 

The  weather  growing  warm,  sails  were 
suspended  between  the  decks,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  ventilating  and  purifying  the  atmos»- 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  71 

phere  by  their  motion;  but  little  benefit 
resulted  from  the  experiment. 

Our  captain,  finding  that  sickness  was 
increasing  among  the  crew,  and  that  the 
wounded  were  suffering  greatly,  judged  it 
expedient  to  leave  our  cruising  ground,  and 
to  steer  for  some  eastern  port,  that  we 
might  obtain  a  supply  of  wood  and  water. 

Some  repairs  likewise  were  necessary, 
which  we  could  not  conveniently  make  at 
sea,  previous  to  a  short  cruise  which  our 
captain  intended  we  should  make  before  our 
return  to  Boston. 

About  the  twentieth  of  the  month  we 
sailed  from  the  banks  of  Newfoundland, 
and  arrived  at  Broad  bay  in  seven  or  eight 
days.  Having  found  a  good  harbor,  we 
dropped  anchor,  and  made  immediate  prep 
arations  to  get  our  sick  and  wounded  men 
on  shore.  Captain  Williams  made  a  con 
tract  with  a  farmer,  who  was  friendly  to  the 
American  cause,  in  comfortable  circum 
stances,  having  good  buildings,  to  provide 
for  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  to  furnish 
accommodations  for  our  surgeon's  mate 


72      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

who  was  left  on  shore  with  medicines  and 
other  things  proper  for  a  hospital. 

There  was  now  a  constant  communication 
kept  up  between  the  ship  and  the  shore,  and 
it  was  necessary  for  our  officers  to  exercise 
great  vigilance  to  protect  the  property  of 
our  friendly  farmer  from  depredation.  An 
attempt  on  the  part  of  some  of  our  crew  to 
steal  from  him  was  detected  in  a  singular 
manner. 

A  copper-colored  fellow,  half  Indian  and 
half  negro,  had  seen  a  fatted  calf  in  the  far 
mer's  barn,  which  he  coveted  to  such  a 
degree  as  to  induce  him  to  make  a  desperate 
attempt  to  make  it  a  prize.  The  graceless 
rascal  found  another  of  the  crew,  whoser 
appetite  for  veal  overcame  what  little  moral 
sense  he  possessed,  ready  to  second  him  in 
the  undertaking. 

Late  at  night,  after  all  hands  had  retired, 
Cramps,  for  that  was  the  name  of  the  prin 
cipal  adventurer,  took  a  boat,  went  oii  Ashore 
secured  the  calf,  and  returned  to  the  ship 
without  discovery.  He  came  with  great 
caution  under  the  ship's  bows,  and  hailed 
his  fellow- worker  in  iniquity,  whom  he  ex- 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  73 

pected  to  find  ready  with  a  rope  to  hoist  the 
calf  on  board. 

It  so  happened  that,  just  at  this  time,  our 
first  lieutenant,  Mr.  Little,  had  occasion  to 
come  on  deck,  and  the  fellow,  who  had  been 
watching  for  the  arrival  of  Cramps,  dodged 
out  of  sight  and  secreted  himself.  Cramps, 
mistaking  the  lieutenant  for  his  coadjutor, 
hailed  him  in  a  low  tone,  requesting  him  to 
lower  a  rope  as  quick  as  possible.  The  lieu 
tenant,  suspecting  some  mischief,  did  as  he 
was  directed. 

Cramps  soon  fixed  a  noose  round  the 
calfs  neck,  and  then  cried  out,  "Now  haul 
away,  blast  your  eyes  !  my  back  is  almost 
broke  with  carrying  the  creature  so  far 
down  to  the  boat."  The  lieutenant  obeyed, 
and  a  strong  pull  on  his  part,  with  some 
boosting  by  Cramps  in  the  rear,  soon 
brought  the  animal  upon  deck.  Cramps 
immediately  followed  his  prize,  and  found, 
to  his  no  small  consternation,  not  only  the 
calf,  but  himself  in  the  powerful  grasp  of 
the  lieutenant.  The  calf  was  alive  and  un 
injured,  although  Cramps  had  carried  him 
a  considerable  distance  from  the  barn  to  the 
7 


T4      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

boat,  and  came  very  near  choking  him 
(vhen  hoisting  him  up  the  side  of  the  ship. 

The  calf  enjoyed  more  comfortable  quar 
ters  that  night  than  his  captor ;  for  the  latter 
was  handcuffed,  and  secured  below  for  far- 
vher  punishment  the  next  day.  In  the 
morning,  the  calf  and  the  culprit  were  sent 
on  shore,  and,  when  landed,  Cramps  was 
ordered  to  shoulder  the  calf  and  march  to 
the  farmer,  confess,  and  ask  his  forgiveness ; 
and  then  to  return  on  board  with  the  conso 
lation  that  he  should  receive  fifty  lashes  for 
his  fault,  and  the  assurance  that  he  should 
be  hung  at  the  yard-arm  if  he  was  detected 
in  such  an  undertaking  again. 

The  result  of  this  expedition  proved 
Cramps  to  be  the  greater  calf  of  the  two. 

The  fifty  lashes  were  remitted  at  the  soli 
citation  of  the  kind-hearted  farmer. 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  75 


CHAPTER  V. 

OUR  repairs  being  completed,  and  all 
things  ready  for  sea,  we  weighed  anchor 
about  the  last  of  June,  and  steered  once  more 
for  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  where  we 
cruised  three  or  four  weeks,  without  meet 
ing  anything  excepting  a  brig  from  the 
West  Indies  bound  to  Boston,  commanded 
by  Capt.  Thomas  Parker.  The  provisions 
of  the  ship  beginning  to  fail,  and  no  prospect 
of  making  captures  appearing,  our  captain, 
with  the  advice  of  his  officers,  concluded  to 
steer  for  Bosion.  We  hove  to,  and  caught  a 
considerable  quantity  of  cod-fish,  then  di 
rected  our  course  for  Halifax,  off  which  we 
cruised  for  several  days. 

At  noon  of  the  fourth  day  after  our  arri 
val,  the  man  on  the  look-out  at  the  mast 
head  gave  notice  of  a  sail  on  our  larboard 
quarter. 

Mr.  Little  ascended  to  the  mizen  top  to 
examine  the  object  of  the  sailor's  report  with 


76       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

his  spy-glass.  He  ascertained  to  his  satis 
faction  that  the  strange  sail  was  a  ship 
directing  her  course  towards  us.  All  hands 
were  piped  on  deck;  the  ship  was  put  about, 
and  we  made  sail  for  the  strange  sail.  The 
two  ships  approached  each  other  rapidly; 
and  it  was  soon  evident  to  our  officers  that 
she  was  a  frigate  of  large  burthen.  We 
afterwards  ascertained  that  these  conjec 
tures  were  true,  as  she  was  a  frigate  from 
Halifax  bound  to  New  York. 

Captain  Williams  thought  it  would  be 
imprudent  to  risk  an  action  with  an  enemy 
so  much  his  superior  in  force ;  he  therefore 
gave  orders  to  put  the  ship  about,  and  crowd 
all  sail,  that  we  might  get  from  the  enemy 
as  fast  as  possible.  The  enemy  gained 
upon  us  rapidly,  as  she  was  fresh  from  port, 
and  her  bottom  coppered;  while  ours,  not 
having  any  copper,  was  extremely  foul,  in 
consequence  of  our  long  cruise,  and  our  pro 
gress  was  greatly  retarded. 

At  five  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  enemy 
had  approached  so  near  as  to  give  us  several 
salutes  with  her  bow  guns,  which  compli 
ment  we  did  not  hesitate  to  return  with  two 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  77 

eighteen  pounders  from  our  cabin  windows, 
and  a  couple  of  sixes  from  the  quarter  deck. 
An  eighteen  pound  shot  was  lodged  in  our 
main  rr.ast;  this  was  all  the  damage  we 
received.  We  resorted  to  all  the  usual 
methods  to  increase  our  progress,  such  as 
wetting  the  sails,  shifting  the  position  of  the 
guns,  &c.,  not  forgetting  to  make  all  the  use 
we  could  of  our  stern  chases,  lest  the  enemy 
might  think  we  slighted  the  compliments 
they  sent  us  from  the  how  guns. 

About  sun-set,  the  enemy  rounded  to,  and 
gave  us  two  broadsides,  by  way  of  parting ; 
for  which  we  paid  due  acknowledgments 
from  our  cabin  windows  and  quarter-deck, 
and  she  gave  up  the  chase.  For  this  last 
act  of  courtesy  we  felt  more  grateful  than 
for  any  she  had  shown  us ;  and  we  immedi 
ately  got  our  guns  into  their  proper  places, 
and  everything  in  readiness  for  an  action 
which  we  anticipated  having  the  next  morn 
ing. 

We  continued  to  crowd  sail  all  night,  and 
the  next  morning  could  just  discern  the 
enemy  at  a  great  distance,  steering  in  an 
opposite  direction 


78       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

We  thought  at  the  time  we  were  fortunate 
in  escaping;  but  we  afterwards  felt  some 
regret  that  we  had  avoided  an  action ;  for, 
although  she  was  a  six-and-thirty-gun  fri 
gate,  she  was  poorly  manned,  and  was 
bound  to  New  York  to  complete  her  number 
of  men ;  and  the  result  of  an  action  would 
probably  have  been  in  our  favor.  Had  she 
been  fully  manned,  she  would  have  perse 
vered  in  the  chase,  and  we  should  probably 
have  been  taken,  as  many  of  our  men  were 
sick. 

In  a  few  days  we  came  in  sight  of  Boston 
lighthouse,  and  anchored  in  Nantasket  roads, 
where  we  remained  a  short  time,  then  stood 
up  the  harbor,  and  hauled  in  at  Hancock's 
wharf.  The  sails  were  unbent,  the  sick 
landed,  the  ship  unloaded,  and  all  hands, 
who  were  not  disposed  to  enlist  for  a  second 
cruise,  were  paid  oif  and  discharged. 

Thus  ended  my  first  cruise  in  the  Protec 
tor.  And,  although  I  had  not  added  to  my 
wealth,  I  had  gained  some  knowledge  of  a 
sailor's  life,  and  felt  disposed  to  try  my 
fortune  a  little  more  in  the  like  manner  by 
enlisting  for  a  second  voyage. 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  79 

Daring  the  short  interval  between  my 
first  and  second  cruise,  while  I  was  at  home, 
my  father  was  taken  sick  and  died.  The 
loss  of  a  kind  parent  is,  under  any  circum 
stances,  a  melancholy  bereavement,  and  this 
was  particularly  so  to  my  mother  and  her 
eight  children,  some  of  whom  were  very 
young. 

Though  unwilling  to  leave  her  in  her 
affliction,  I  felt  the  necessity  of  exerting 
myself,  that  I  might  contribute  something  to 
the  maintenance  of  the  family,  who  were 
left  very  destitute.  I  knew  of  no  way  in 
which  there  was  a  prospect  of  my  being  so 
useful  to  them,  as  that  of  engaging  for 
another  cruise. 

A  rendezvous  was  opened;  a  recruiting 
party  paraded  the  streets  under  the  Ameri 
can  flag,  accompanied  by  a  band  of  martial 
music,  and  the  excitement  usual  on  such 
occasions.  Amid  loud  huzzas  for  liberty 
and  independence,  sailors  fell  rapidly  into 
our  ranks,  and  our  complement  of  men  was 
obtained  in  a  short  time. 

In  the  mean  time  our  ship  was  thoroughly 
overhauled,  her  bottom  scraped,  rigging  re- 


80       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

paired,  and  everything  was  done  to  put  her 
into  perfect  order.  Wood  and  water,  and 
various  kinds  of  stores  necessary  for  a  cruise 
of  six  months,  were  taken  on  board ;  and, 
having  recruited  about  two  hundred  men, 
preparations  were  made  for  our  immediate 
departure. 

About  the  last  of  October,  our  boats  were 
hoisted  on  deck  and  secured,  and  we  dropped 
down  into  Nantasket  roads,  where  we  re 
mained  a  few  days,  and  then  set  sail  upon 
our  second  cruise.  We  cleared  Cape  Cod 
the  first  of  November ;  directed  our  course 
for  Halifax,  off  which  we  cruised  a  few 
days,  then  steered  for  the  Grand  Banks. 
We  arrived  there,  and  cruised  about  for 
three  weeks,  and,  not  discovering  any  of  the 
enemy's  vessels,  we  directed  our  course  to 
the  West  Indies,  and  arrived  off  the  islands, 
where  we  cruised  for  some  time. 

Finding  it  necessary  to  obtain  a  supply  of 
water,  we  put  into  St.  Pierre,  in  the  island 
of  Martinico,  for  that  purpose ;  after  which 
we  steered  towards  Dominica,  an  island 
north  of  Martinico.  The  next  morning  we 
espied  an  English  sloop  sailing  to  leeward 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  81 

of  us  dojQ  under  the  land.  We  gave  chase, 
and  soon  came  up  with  her.  Our  captain 
sent  an  officer  and  some  men  on  board,  and 
took  possession  of  her. 

We  then  bore  away  with  our  prize  for  St. 
Juan,^  in  the  island  of  Porto  Rico,  where 
our  captain  disposed  of  the  sloop  and  cargo, 
part  of  which  consisted  of  fourteen  Negroes, 
who  were  sold  to  the  Spaniards. 

We  then  continued  our  cruise ;  and  in  a 
few  days  fell  in  with  an  English  schooner, 
which  we  took;  putting  some  men  and  a 
prize-master  on  board,  ordered  her  for 
Boston,  where  she  arrived  in  safety. 

After  cruising  for  some  time,  and  not  fall 
ing  in  with  anything,  our  captain  concluded 
to  leave  the  West  India  seas  and  steer  for 
the  southern  coast  of  the  United  States. 

We  arrived  off  the  bar  of  Charleston, 
South  Carolina ;  and  in  the  course  of  a  few 
days  fell  in  with  a  ship  called  the  Polly,  a 
letter-of-marque,  of  twenty  guns,  bound  to 
London.  We  gave  chase  late  in  the  after 
noon,  and,  as  it  soon  grew  dark,  we  lost 
sight  of  her. 

*  Commonly  called  St.  John. 


82       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

A  thunder  storm  came  on,  and  all  hands 
were  watching  for  her;  and  by  the . flashes 
of  the  lightning  we  at  length  discovered  her, 
standing  in  a  different  direction  from  what 
we  had  at  first  seen  her  pursuing.  We 
accordingly  shifted  our  course,  and  crowded 
sail  in  pursuit.  By  the  aid  of  the  lightning, 
we  kept  in  her  course,  and  soon  came  up 
with  her. 

"What  ship  is  that,  and  where  from?" 
roared  our  lieutenant  through  his  trumpet, 
in  a  voice  that  bore  no  slight  resemblance  to 
the  thunder  which  rolled  above  our  heads. 
"  The  ship  Polly,  from  Charleston,  bound  to 
London,"  was  the  reply.  The  lightning, 
flashing  upon  her  colors,  showed  that  they 
were  English;  while  the  enemy  had  the 
same  means  of  seeing  the  American  flag  fly 
ing  at  our  mast-head. 

We  were  completely  prepared  for  action ; 
the  matches  were  lighted ;  the  lanterns  bum* 
mg  fore  and  aft;  and  all  anxiously  waiting 
for  the  commands  of  the  officers.  One  shot 
was  fired,  and  our  captain  ordered  the 
enemy  to  "  Haul  down  his  colors,  or  he 
would  blow  him  out  of  the  water." 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  83 

The  appearance  of  our  ship  being  formi 
dable,  our  captain's  demand  was  instantly 
complied  with.  Our  boat  was  lowered,  and 
a  prize-master  and  crew  put  on  board,  who 
took  possession  of  the  ship,  and  she  was 
ordered  for  Boston. 

Shortly  after,  we  steered  for  New  York, 
and  arrived  off  Sandy  Hook  in  the  spring. 
After  cruising  here  nearly  a  week,  one 
morning  the  man  at  mast-head  cried  out, 
"A  sail  upon  the  larboard  quarter.77  Mr. 
Little  ascended  to  the  top,  and,  after  ex 
amining  her  with  his  glass,  declared  her  to 
be  a  brig  standing  in  for  New  York.  We 
immediately  gave  chase,  came  up  with  her, 
and  ordered  her  to  heave  to  till  we  could 
send  a  boat  alongside.  She  complied,  and, 
taking  her  crew  on  board  of  our  ship,  put  a 
prize-master  and  crew  on  board  of  the  brig, 
and  ordered  her  for  Boston. 

While  we  were  manning  the   prize,  the 
man  at  the  mast-head  gave  notice  of  "A 
sail  on  the  larboard  bows." 
t  We  lost  no  time  in  commencing  the  pur 
suit,  and  soon  came  alongside  of  her. 

She  proved  to  be  a  schooner  going  into 


84  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

New  York.     We  took  from  her  a  quantity 
of  bread,  cheese,  and  porter. 

Captain  Williams  held  consultation  with 
his  officers  respecting  what  course  it  was 
best  to  pursue ;  and  they  came  to  the  con 
clusion,  that  it  would  not  be  prudent  to 
remain  any  longer  cruising  off  Sandy  Hook, 
lest  we  should  meet  some  of  the  British 
frigates,  of  too  great  force  for  us  to  contend 
with.  Our  prizes  being  in  sight,  signals 
were  made  for  them  to  approach.  The  brig 
we  took  in  tow  and  ordered  the  schooner  to 
keep  in  company.  We  now  made  sail  for 
Boston,  with  a  fair  wind,  and  anticipated  the 
pleasure  of  sharing  a  considerable  sum  of 
prize  money  on  our  arrival. 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  85 


CHAPTER  VI. 

OUR  cruise  thus  far  had  been  prosperous, 
and  we  thought  the  "  evil  day  was  afar  off." 
We  continued  merrily  on  our  course,  with 
out  seeing  friend  or  foe,  during  the  next 
day;  but,  the  following  morning,  the  man 
at  the  mast-head  cried  out,  "Two  sail  to 
the  leeward.77  Mr.  Little  ascended  to  the 
main  top  with  his  glass,  and  soon  ascer 
tained  that  they  were  two  large  ships, 
closely  hauled  upon  the  wind,  in  full  chase 
of  us.  The  brig  we  had  in  tow  was  quickly 
cast  off,  and  she  and  the  schooner  were 
ordered  to  make  the  best  progress  they 
could.  Our  yards  were  braced,  and  all  sail 
crowded  that  the  ship  could  carry. 

The  chase  continued,  without  gaining 
much  upon  us  till  about  noon,  when,  the 
wind  shifting,  they  fell  into  our  wake,  and 
gained  upon  us  very  fast. 

A  few  days  previous  to  this,  we  had  fallen 
in  with  a  brig  from  Havana  for  Boston, 
8 


36       KEVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

commanded  by  Captain  Cunningham.,  hav 
ing  a  large  quantity  of  specie  on  board. 

Captain  C.,  thinking  that  the  money 
would  be  more  safe  on  board  of  an  armed 
ship,  requested  it  as  a  favor  of  Captain  Wil 
liams  to  receive  it  on  board.  Captain 
Cunningham  arrived  with  his  brig  in  safety; 
but,  to  his  regret  as  well  as  ours,  his  money 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

The  ships  in  pursuit  showed  French 
colors,  while  we  had  the  American  flag  fly 
ing. 

They  appeared  to  gain  upon  us,  and  the 
prospect  was,  that  they  would  soon  over 
take  us. 

Our  captain,  calling  all  the  hands  aft  on 
the  quarter  deck,  expressed  his  opinion,  that 
the  ships  in  pursuit  of  us  were  English,  and 
that  we  should  be  captured. 

He  then  distributed  among  us  the  money 
which  he  had  received  for  safe  keeping,  in 
sums  of  fifteen  dollars  to  each,  upon  condi 
tion  that  it  should  be  returned  to  him  if  we 
were  so  fortunate  as  to  escape. 

It  was  now  nearly  sun-set,  and  the  enemy 
were  gaining  upon  us  rapidly.  They  had 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  87 

exchanged  their  French  for  English  colors, 
thus  ending  our  hopes  and  doubts  respect 
ing  their  character.  Our  capture  was  now 
considered  no  longer  problematical ;  and, 
being  unwilling  that  the  stores,  especially 
of  crackers,  cheese,  and  porter,  should  fall 
a  prey  to  the  appetite  of  the  enemy,  and  not 
knowing  when  we  should  have  an  opportu 
nity  of  enjoying  such  luxuries  again,  I 
invited  about  a  dozen  of  my  friends  into  the 
store  room,  where  we  exerted  ourselves  to 
diminish  the  quantity  of  this  part  of  the 
prize  which  we  thought  would  shortly  be  in 
possession  of  the  enemy.  The  porter  made 
us  cheerful  if  not  happy,  and  having  eat  and 
drank  to  our  satisfaction,  we  shook  hands  as 
friends  soon  to  part,  uncertain  when  we 
should  meet  again,  and  returned  on  deck 
without  our  absence  having  been  noticed. 

We  found  that  the  two  ships  had  got  up 
with  us.  They  proved  to  be  the  Roe-Buck, 
a  forty-gun  ship  with  a  double  deck,  and  the 
May-Day,  of  twenty-eight  guns. 

They  had  been  upon  the  look-out  for  us 
for  three  or  four  weeks;  having  received 
information  from  the  Tories  in  Boston  that 


88  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

we  were  expected  to  return  from  our  cruise 
about  this  time. 

The  Roe-Buck  took  her  station  on  our 
larboard  quarter,  the  May-Day  on  our  lar 
board  bow,  and  sent  an  eighteen-pound  shot 
over  our  quarter  deck.  We  were  then 
ordered  to  strike  our  colors,  or  a  broadside 
would  be  sent  to  enforce  compliance  with 
the  demand. 

To  attempt  resistance  against  a  force  so 
much  our  superior  would  have  been  un 
justifiable;  and  the  flag  of  thirteen  stars 
and  stripes,  under  which  we  had  sailed 
with  much  satisfaction  and  success,  was 
reluctantly  pulled  down ;  and  this  was  the 
unfortunate  end  of  our  second  cruise. 

The  boats  of  the  enemy  were  manned, 
and  sent  alongside  of  our  ship.  Our  crew 
were  now  permitted  by  our  officers  to  col 
lect  their  clothing  and  their  little  property 
together,  and  secure  them  in  the  best  manner 
they  could. 

By  this  time,  the  boats  had  arrived  along 
side,  and  the  enemy  had  ascended  the  deck. 

Their  first  exploit  was  to  strike  or  kick 
every  sailor  that  came  in  their  way,  bestow- 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  89 

ing  a  variety  of  opprobrious  epithets,  among 
which  "damned  rebels"  was  of  the  most 
frequent  recurrence ;  then  they  commenced 
searching  in  every  part  of  the  ship  for 
articles  of  value. 

Our  crew  were  ordered  to  pass  down  the 
side  of  the  ship  into  the  enemy's  boats ;  but 
were  forbidden  to  carry  anything  with  them. 
Some  of  our  crew  fastened  their  bedding 
upon  their  backs,  and  tumbled  themselves 
head  foremost  down  into  the  boats ;  and,  as 
it  was  quite  dark,  they  would  unperceived 
get  into  the  cuddy  with  their  bedding,  trust 
ing  to  future  circumstances  for  opportunity 
to  use  or  secrete  it. 

We  arrived  alongside,  and  were  ordered 
on  to  the  quarter  deck  of  our  captors.  Some 
English  sailor  among  our  crew,  to  recom 
mend  himself  to  the  favor  of  the  British 
captain,  had  given  information  respecting 
the  money  we  had  secreted  about  our  per 
sons.  The  sergeant  of  arms  was  ordered  to 
search  every  one  of  us  till  the  sum  of  fifteen 
dollars  was  found  upon  each  of  us. 

Such  was  the  art  which  some  had  exer 
cised  in  hiding  the  money,  that  they  were 


90       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

stripped  entirely  naked  before  it  was  found, 
One  fellow  had  secreted  his  share  so  effect 
ually,  that  it  baffled  all  the  searching 
operations  to  find  it ;  and  the  officer,  being 
confident  that  the  fellow  had  it  about  him, 
took  the  satisfaction  of  giving  him  a  tremen 
dous  kick  in  the  rear  by  way  of  conclusion, 
roaring  out  at  the  same  time,  "Away  with 
you,  you  damned  rebel,  ^  into  the  hold.'7 

In  the  capacity  of  cabin  steward  f  I  was 
most  of  the  time  in  the  cabin,  and  had 
recommended  myself  to  the  favorable  notice 
of  the  American  captain  by  performing  my 
duties  to  his  satisfaction :  and,  when  the 
money  was  distributed  among  our  crew,  the 
captain  gave  me  a  double  share.  I  put 
fifteen  dollars  in  the  crown  of  my  hat,  which 
I  pressed  down  upon  my  head  as  closely  as 
possible ;  the  remaining  fifteen  I  placed  in 
my  shoes,  between  the  soles. 

*  My  apology  for  occasionally  repeating  such  profane  expres 
sions  is,  that  the  young  readers  may  know  to  what  insulting 
and  contemptuous  language  their  forefathers  were  exposed 
while  contending  with  a  haughty  foe,  for  liberty  and  indepen 
dence. 

•t  Soon  after  we  had  commenced  our  cruise,  I  was  called 
upon  to  officiate  as  cabin  steward  in  the  place  of  one  who  had 
performed  his  duties  in  a  manner  unsatisfactory  to  the  cap 
tain. 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.  91 

At  length  my  turn  to  be  searched  came ; 
and  I,  as  the  rest  of  my  fellow-prisoners  had 
done,  denied  having  any  money.  This 
assertion,  however,  did  not  avail ;  I  was 
seized  by  the  collar,  and  shaken  so  violently 
that  my  hat  fell  off,  and  the  dollars  rolled 
out  upon  the  deck.  The  sum  of  fifteen  dol 
lars  being  found,  it  was  concluded  that  I 
had  no  more,  and  I  was  sent  into  the  ship's 
hold,  where  I  found  those  of  the  crew  who 
had  been  previously  searched.  A  consider 
able  number  of  us  contrived,  by  various 
stratagems,  to  save  our  money,  for  dollars 
were  fomid  to  be  quite  plentiful  among  us 
for  some  time  after  our  capture ;  and  they 
proved  a  great  convenience,  as  money  gen 
erally  does  among  friends  or  foes. 

Our  accommodations  in  the  hold  were  not 
very  desirable,  especially  to  those  who  had 
not  succeeded  in  getting  their  bedding  into 
that  place.  We  found  nothing  to  lie  upon 
softer  than  the  ship's  ballast,  consisting  of 
stones  of  all  shapes  and  sizes,  with  here  and 
there  a  lump  of  pig  iron  by  way  of  variety ; 
and  the  water  casks,  which  afforded  a  sur 
face  rather  uneven  for  the  comfort  and  con 
venience  of  our  weary  limbs. 


92       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

Here  we  spent  the  first  night,  and  were 
not  allowed  to  go  on  deck  till  the  next 
morning. 

The  Roe-Buck  had  the  charge  of  the 
prisoners,  while  the  May-Day  was  sent  in 
pursuit  of  the  two  prizes  we  had  in  posses 
sion  at  the  time  of  our  capture. 

Greatly  to  our  satisfaction,  however,  she 
was  unable  to  overhaul  them,  and  they 
both  arrived  in  safety  in  Boston  a  few  days 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  93 


CHAPTER    VII. 

SHORTLY  after,  we  anchored  off  Sandy 
Hook,  and  preparations  were  made  to  exam 
ine  the  prisoners,  to  ascertain  what  part  of 
them  were  Englishmen ;  or  rather,  who 
among  them  would  carry  the  appearance  of 
able-bodied  seamen. 

We  were  called  up  from  the  hold ;  ordered 
to  the  larboard  side  of  the  quarter  deck; 
thence  marched,  in  single  file,  past  a  number 
of  British  officers  on  the  starboard  side ;  after 
that  to  the  gangway,  and  down  again  into 
the  hold.  The  object  of  thus  moving  in 
procession  before  the  officers  was,  to  give 
them  an  opportunity  to  select  such  as  they 
chose,  to  serve  on  board  of  their  ships. 
With  fear  and  trembling  we  passed  through 
this  examination.  Whenever  a  healthy, 
athletic-looking  man  passed  by,  he  was 
hailed,  and  accused  of  being  an  English 
man.  In  vain  would  his  comrades  attest  to 
the  fact  of  his  being  a  native-born  American; 
tell  the  place  of  his  birth  and  the  circum- 


94       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

stances  of  his  youth,  detailed  with  all  the 
consistency  and  connexion  which  belong  to 
truth ;  it  was  all  to  no  purpose.  Sailors 
they  wanted,  and  have  them  they  would,  if 
they  set  law  and  gospel  at  defiance.  In  this 
manner  was  many  an  American  citizen,  in 
the  morning  of  life,  dragged  from  his  coun-^ 
try,  his  friends,  and  his  home;  forced  on 
board  a  ship  of  war;  compelled  to  fight 
against  his  own  country  ;  and,  if  he  lived, 
to  fight  in  battle  with  other  nations,  against 
whom  he  had  no  feelings  of  hostility.  Many 
a  one  spent  his  whole  life  in  foreign  service, 
far  from  his  native  land,  while  his  relatives 
were  ignorant  of  his  fate,  till,  worn  out  with 
toil  and  wounds,  a  shadow  of  his  former 
self,  he  dropped  into  the  grave  unpitied  and 
unknown. 

About  a  third  part  of  our  ship's  crew  were 
taken  on  board  of  their  vessels,  to  serve  in 
the  capacity  of  sailors,  without  regarding 
their  remonstrances ;  while  the  remainder  of 
us  were  put  on  board  of  a  wood  coaster,  to 
be  conveyed  on  board  the  noted  prison  ship 
called  the  "  Jersey."  The  idea  of  being  in 
carcerated  in  this  floating  Pandemonium 
filled  us  with  horror  •,'  but  the  idea  we  had 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  95 

formed  of  Us  horrors  fell  far  short  of  the 
realities  which  we  afterwards  experienced. 
We  wished,  if  possible,  to  avoid  the  hard  fate 
that  awaited  us ;  and  conceived  the  design 
of  rising  upon  the  guard,  and  seizing  upon 
the  sloop,  and  running  her  aground  upon  the 
Jersey  shore.  The  plan  could  have  heen 
easily  executed  had  there  been  any  one 
among  us  to  act  as  a  leader  in  the  enterprise. 
Our  captain  with  his  officers  were  con 
fined  in  the  cabin,  under  the  watchful  care 
of  a  number  of  British  officers  well  armed ; 
while  a  guard  of  soldiers  stood  at  the  head 
of  the  companion  way,  to  prevent  any  com 
munication  with  the  prisoners  upon  the 
deck.  Sailors  and  soldiers  have  the  courage 
to  execute,  but  not  the  skill  to  plan. 

Had  our  captain,  in  whom  we  had  been 
m  the  habit  of  placing  the  utmost  confi 
dence,  been  with  us,  I  have  no  doubt  we 
should  have  obtained  our  freedom. 

As  the  deck  was  loaded  with  wood,  we 
could  in  a  moment  have  obtained  weapons 
sufficient  for  our  purpose,  and,  had  any  one 
amongst  us  been  disposed  to  act  as  a  leader, 
we  should  soon  have  had  possession  of  the 


96       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

vessel.  We  afterwards  regretted  exceedingly 
that  we  did  not  make  the  attempt. 

We  proceeded  slowly  up  the  river  towards 
our  much-dreaded  place  of  confinement,  and 
at  doubling  a  point  we  came  in  sight  of  the 
gloomy-looking  hulk  of  the  old  Jersey,  aptly 
named  by  the  sailors,  "  The  hell  afloat." 
The  Jersey  was  originally  a  seventy-four 
gun  ship,  and,  at  the  commencement  of  the 
American  revolution,  being  found  in  a  state 
of  decay  and  unfit  for  service  at  sea,  she 
was  dismantled,  moored  in  the  East-river  at 
New  York,  and  used  as  a  store-ship.  In  the 
year  1780,  she  was  converted  into  a  prison- 
ship,  and  continued  to  be  used  for  that  pur 
pose  during  the  remainder  of  the  war. 

In  consequence  of  the  fears  that  were 
entertained  that  the  sickness,  which  pre 
vailed  among  the  prisoners,  might  spread  to 
the  shore,  she  was  removed,  and  moored 
with  chain  cables  at  the  Wallabout,  a  lonely 
and  unfrequented  place  on  the  shore  of  Long 
Island.  Her  external  appearance  was  for 
bidding  and  gloomy.  She  was  dismantled . 
her  only  spars  were  the  bowsprit;  a  derrick, 
that  looked  like  a  gallows,  for  hoisting  sup 
plies  on  board ;  and  a  flag-staff  at  the  stern, 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  97 

The  port-holes  were  closed  and  secured. 
Two  tiers  of  holes  were  cut  through  her 
sides,  about  two  feet  square  and  about  ten 
feet  apart,  strongly  guarded  by  a  grating  of 
iron  bars. 

Such  was  the  appearance  of  the  Jersey,  as 
we  approached  it ;  an  appearance  well  calcu 
lated  to  excite  the  most  gloomy  forebodings 
of  the  treatment  we  should  receive  after  we 
should  have  become  its  inmates.  The  idea 
of  being  a  prisoner  in  such  a  place  was 
sufficient  to  fill  the  mind  with  grief  and  dis 
tress.  The  heart  sickened,  the  cheek  grew 
pale  with  the  thought.  Our  destiny  was 
before  us,  and  there  was  no  alternative  but 
to  submit. 

The  sloop  anchored  at  a  little  distance 
from  the  Jersey,  and  two  boats  were  senl 
alongside  to  receive  us. 

The  boats  passed  and  re-passed  several 
times  before  all  of  us  got  on  board;  and 
lastly  the  captain's  barge  was  sent  to  convey 
our  officers  to  their  place  of  confinement. 
Not  a  great  while  after  we  were  imprisoned 
our  captain,  together  with  the  lieutenant  and 
the  sailing-master,  Mr.  Lemon,  were  sent  to 
9 


98  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

England;  the  latter,  being  an  Englishman, 
uad  the  comfortable  assurance,  that  he 
should  be  hanged  as  soon  as  he  arrived.* 

*How  long  our  officers  remained  in  England  I  have  no 
means  for  information.  Captain  Williams  I  found  in  Boston 
when  I  returned. 

On  the  adoption  of  the  federal  constitution  by  Massachusetts, 
February,  1788,  the  event  was  celebrated  in  Boston  by  a  civic 
procession,  in  which,  I  believe,  the  great  mass  of  the  citizens 
participated,  classed  into  trades  and  occupations.  Each  pro 
fession  or  art  on  this  occasion  was  headed  by  appropriate  flags 
and  banners,  bearing  its  respective  coat  of  arms  and  emblems, 
accompanied  in  most  cases  with  implements  of  agricultural, 
manufacturing,  and  mechanical  industry  and  skill  in  f\il\  oper 
ation.  Among  the  most  conspicuous  of  these,  the  mariners 
had  mounted  a  ship  on  wheels,  which  was  drawn  through  the 
streets  by  13  white  horses,  the  then  number  of  the  United 
States.  The  ship  was  manned  by  veteran  sea-captains  and 
weather-beaten  sailors,  throwing  the  lead,  reefing  the  sails, 
waving  the  thirteen  stripes  and  stars,  and  at  intervals  firing 
salutes  from  a  3-pounder,  under  the  command  of  John  Foster 
Williams,  our  late  captain,  who,  as  I  have  heard,  stood  on  the 
quarter  deck  with  a  speaking-trumpet  in  his  hand,  dressed  in 
continental  regimentals.  A  song,  to  the  tune  of  "  Yankee 
Doodle,"  appeared  among  other  poetical  productions  in  the 
newspapers  of  the  day,  "one  verse  of  which  was  in  these 
words :  — 

"  John  Foster  Williams  in  a  ship, 
Join'd  with  the  social  band,  sir. 
And  made  the  lasses  dance  and  skip, 
To  see  him  sail  on  land,  sir. 

Yankee  doodle,"  &c. 

I  believe  it  was  at  this  time,  whilst  the  procession  was  pass 
ing  through  High  street,  between  Summer  street  and  Federal 
street;  (till  then  called  Long  lane,)  the  ship  was  interrupted 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  99 

After  being  detained  in  the  boats  along 
side  a  little  while,  we  were  ordered  to 
ascend  to  the  upper  deck  of  the  prison  ship. 
Here  our  names  were  registered,  and  the 
capacity  in  which  we  had  served  previous 
to  our  capture.  Each  of  us  was  permitted 
to  retain  whatever  clothing  and  bedding  we 
had  brought,  after  having  been  examined  to 
ascertain  that  they  contained  no  weapons 
nor  money ;  and  then  we  were  directed  to 
pass  through  a  strong  door,  on  the  starboard 
side,  down  a  ladder  leading  to  the  main 
hatchway.  I  now  found  myself  in  a  loath 
some  prison,  among  a  collection  of  the  most 
wretched  and  disgusting  looking  objects  that 
I  ever  beheld  in  human  form. 

Here  was  a  motley  crew,  covered  with 
rags  and  filth  :  visages  pallid  with  disease, 
emaciated  with  hunger  and  anxiety,  and 
retaining  hardly  a  trace  of  their  original 

and  entangled  by  a  tree  in  the  street,  which  was  finally  cut 
down  to  give  free  passage  to  the  tars  in  their  novel  vehicle. 

Captain  Williams  was  appointed  by  Gen.  Washington  to 
the  command  of  a  revenue  cutter  in  1790,  which  office  he  held 
to  the  time  of  his  death. 

He  was  distinguished  for  his  courage,  prudence,  and  hu 
manity,  and  rendered  his  country  good  and  faithful  service. 

He  died  in  Williams  street,  Boston,  June  24th,  1814,  aged  71 . 


100  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

appearance.  Here  were  men,  who  h  ad  once 
enjoyed  life  while  riding  over  the  mountain 
wave  or  roaming  through  pleasant  fields, 
full  of  health  and  vigor,  now  shriveled  by  a 
scanty  and  unwholesome  diet,  ghastly  with 
inhaling  an  impure  atmosphere,  exposed 
to  contagion,  in  contact  with  disease,  and 
surrounded  with  the  horrors  of  sickness  and 
death.  Here,  thought  I,  must  I  linger  out 
the  morning  of  my  life,  in  tedious  days  and 
sleepless  nights,  enduring  a  weary  and 
degrading  captivity,  till  death  shall  termi 
nate  my  sufferings,  and  no  friend  will  know 
of  my  departure.  A  prisoner  on  board  of 
"  the  old  Jersey  ! "  The  very  thought  was 
appalling.  I  could  hardly  realize  my  situa 
tion. 

The  first  thing  we  found  it  necessary  to 
do  after  our  captivity  was  to  form  ourselves 
into  small  parties,  called  "messes,"  consist 
ing  of  six  men  each ;  as,  previous  to  doing 
this,  we  could  obtain  no  food.  All  the 
prisoners  were  obliged  to  fast  on  the  first 
day  of  their  arrival;  and  seldom  on  the 
second  could  they  procure  any  food  in  sea 
son  for  cooking  it.  No  matter  how  hungry 
they  were,  no  deviation  from  the  rules  of 


OF    ErtEN:E24R.  ,FOX.  .1  01 


the  ship  was  permitted.  All  the  prisoners 
fared  alike;  officers  and  sailors  received  the 
same  treatment  on  board  of  this  old  hulk. 
Our  keepers  were  no  respecters  of  persons. 
We  were  all  "  rebels."  The  quantity  and 
quality  of  our  fare  was  the  same  for  all. 
The  only  distinction  known  among  us  was 
made  by  the  prisoners  themselves,  which 
was  shown  in  allowing  those,  who  had  been 
officers  previous  to  their  capture,  to  congre 
gate  in  the  extreme  after-part  of  the  ship, 
and  to  keep  it  exclusively  to  themselves  as 
their  places  of  abode. 

The  various  messes  of  the  prisoners  were 
numbered  ;  and  nine  in  the  morning  was  the 
hour  when  the  steward  would  deliver  from 
the  window  in  his  room,  at  the  after-part  of 
the  ship,  the  allowance  granted  to  each 
mess.  Each  mess  chose  one  of  their  com 
pany  to  be  prepared  to  answer  to  their  num 
ber  when  it  was  called  by  the  steward,  and 
to  receive  the  allowance  as  it  was  handed 
from  the  window.  Whatever  was  thrust 
out  must  be  taken;  no  change  could  be 
made  in  its  quantity  or  quality.  Each  mess 
received  daily  what  was  equivalent  in 


102  'REVOLUtTCNAltY    A^tENTURES 


weight  or  measure,  but  not  in  quality,  to  the 
rations  of  four  men  at  full  allowance  :  that 
is,  each  prisoner  received  two  thirds  as  much 
as  was  allowed  to  a  seaman  in  the  British 
navy. 

Our  bill  of  fare  was  as  follows  : 

On  Sunday,  one  pound  of  biscuit,  one 
pound  of  pork,  and  half  a  pint  of  peas. 
Monday,  one  pound  of  biscuit,  one  pint  of 
oat-meal,  and  two  ounces  of  butter.  Tues 
day,  one  pound  of  biscuit,  and  two  pounds 
of  salt  beef.  Wednesday,  one  and  a  half 
pounds  of  flour,  and  two  ounces  of  suet. 
Thursday  was  a  repetition  of  Sunday's  fare, 
Friday  of  Monday's,  and  Saturday  of  Tues 
day's. 

If  this  food  had  been  of  a  good  quality 
and  properly  cooked,  as  we  had  no  labor  to 
perform,  it  would  have  kept  us  comfortable, 
at  least  from  suffering.  But  this  was  not 
the  case.  All  our  food  appeared  to  be 
damaged. 

The  bread  was  mouldy,  and  filled  with 
worms.  It  required  considerable  rapping 
upon  the  deck  before  the  worms  could  be 
dislodged  from  their  lurking  places  in  a 
biscuit. 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.          103 

As  for  the  pork,  we  were  cheated  out  of  it 
more  than  half  of  the  time :  and,  when  it 
was  obtained,  one  would  have  judged  from 
its  motley  hues,  exhibiting  the  consistence 
and  appearance  of  variegated  fancy  soap, 
that  it  was  the  flesh  of  the  porpoise,  or  sea- 
hog,  and  had  been  an  inhabitant  of  the 
ocean  rather  than  of  the  sty.  But,  what 
ever  doubts  might  arise  respecting  the  genera 
or  species  of  the  beast,  the  flavor  of  the  flesh 
was  so  unsavory  that  it  would  have  been 
rejected  as  unfit  for  the  stuffing  even  of 
Bologna  sausages. 

The  peas  were  generally  damaged,  and, 
from  the  imperfect  manner  in  which  they 
were  cooked,  were  about  as  indigestible  as 
grape-shot.  The  butter  the  reader  will  not 
suppose  was  the  real  "  Gosfren;"  and  had  it 
not  been  for  its  adhesive  properties  to  retain 
together  the  particles  of  the  biscuit,  that  had 
been  so  riddled  by  the  worms  as  to  lose  all 
their  attraction  of  cohesion,  we  should  have 
considered  it  no  desirable  addition  to  our 
viands. 

The  flour  and  the  oat-meal  were  often 
sour,  and  when  the  suet  was  mixed  with  it, 
we  should  have  considered  it  a  blessing  to 


104     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

have  been  destitute  of  the  sense  of  smelling 
before  we  admitted  it  into  our  mouths :  it 
might  be  nosed  half  the  length  of  the  ship. 

And  last,  though  not  the  least  item  among 
our  staples  in  the  eating  line — our  beef. 
The  first  view  of  it  would  excite  an  idea  of 
veneration  for  its  antiquity,  and  not  a  little 
curiosity  to  ascertain  to  what  kind  of  an 
animal  it  originally  belonged.  Its  color  was 
of  dark  mahogany ;  and  its  solidity  would 
have  set  the  keen  edge  of  a  broad-axe  at 
defiance  to  cut  across  the  grain,  though,  like 
oakum,  it  could  be  pulled  into  pieces  one 
way  in  strings,  like  rope-yarn.  A  streak  of 
fat  in  it  would  have  been  a  phenomenon, 
that  would  have  brought  all  the  prisoners 
together  to  see  and  admire.  It  was  so  com 
pletely  saturated  with  salt,  that,  after  hav 
ing  been  boiled  in  water  taken  from  the  sea, 
it  was  found  to  be  considerably  freshened  by 
the  process.  It  was  no  uncommon  thing  to 
find  it  extremely  tender ;  but  then  this  pecu 
liarity  was  not  owing  to  its  being  a  prime 
cut  from  a  premium  ox,  but  rather  owing  to 
its  long  keeping — the  vicissitudes  of  heat 
and  cold,  of  humidity  and  aridity  it  had 
experienced  in  the  course  of  time :  and  of 


OF   EBENEZER    FOX.  105 

this  disposition  to  tenderness  we  were  duly 
apprized  by  the  extraordinary  fragrance  it 
emitted  before  and  after  it  was  cooked.  It 
required  more  skill  than  we  possessed  to 
determine  whether  the  flesh,  which  we  were 
obliged  to  devour,  had  once  covered  the 
bones  of  some  luckless  bull  that  had  died 
from  starvation ;  or  of  some  worn-out  horse 
that  had  been  killed  for  the  crime  of  having 
outlived  his  usefulness. 

Such  was  our  food.  But  the  quality  of 
it  was  not  all  that  we  had  reason  to  com 
plain  of.  The  manner  in  which  it  was 
cooked  was  more  injurious  to  our  health, 
than  the  quality  of  the  food ;  and,  in  many 
cases,  laid  the  foundation  of  diseases,  that 
brought  many  a  suiferer  to  his  grave,  years 
after  his  liberation. 

The  cooking  for  the  prisoners  was  done  in 
a  great  copper  vessel,  that  contained  be 
tween  two  an  three  hogsheads  of  water,  set 
in  brick  work.  The  form  of  it  was  square, 
and  it  was  divided  into  two  compartments 
by  a  partition.  In  one  of  these,  the  peas 
3-nd  oat-meal  were  boiled  ;^this  was  done  in 
fresh  water :  in  the  other,  the  meat  was 


106      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

boiled  in  salt  water,  taken  up  from  along 
side  of  the  ship. 

The  Jersey,  from  her  size  and  lying  near 
the  shore,  was  imbedded  in  the  mud ;  and  I 
do  not  recollect  seeing  her  afloat  during  the 
whole  time  I  was  a  prisoner.7*  All  the  filth 
that  accumulated  among  upwards  of  a  thou 
sand  men  was  daily  thrown  overboard,  and 
would  remain  there  till  carried  away  by  the 
tide.  The  impurity  of  the  water  may  be 
easily  conceived ;  and  in  this  water  our 
meat  was  boiled. 

It  will  be  recollected,  too,  that  the  water  ' 
was  salt,  which  caused  the  inside  of  the 
copper  to  become  corroded  to  such  a  degree 
that  it  was  lined  with  a  coat  of  verdigris. 
Meat  thus  cooked  must  in  some  degree  be 
poisoned;  and  the  effects  of  it  were  manifest 
in  the  cadaverous  countenances  of  the  ema 
ciated  beings,  who  had  remained  on  board 
for  any  length  of  time. 

The  persons,  chosen  by  each  mess  to  re 
ceive  their  portions  of  food,  were  summoned 
by  the  cook's  bell  to  receive  their  allowance, 
and,  when  it  had  remained  in  the  boiler  a 

*  The  tides  in  New  York  do  not  generally  rise  or  fall  above 
two  or  three  feet. 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  10? 

certain  time;  the  bell  would  again  sound,  and 
the  allowance  must  be  immediately  taken 
away :  whether  it  was  sufficiently  cooked, 
or  not,  it  could  remain  no  longer.  The  food 
was  generally  very  imperfectly  cooked ;  yet 
this  sustenance,  wretched  as  it  was,  and 
deficient  in  quantity,  was  greedily  devoured 
by  the  half-starved  prisoners. 

No  vegetables  were  allowed  us.  Many 
times  since,  when  I  have  seen  in  the  coun 
try,  a  large  kettle  of  potatoes  and  pumpkins 
steaming  over  the  fire  to  satisfy  the  appetites 
of  a  farmer's  swine,  I  have  thought  of  our 
destitute  and  starved  condition,  and  what  a 
Luxury  we  should  have  considered  the  con 
tents  of  that  kettle  on  board  the  Jersey. 

The  prisoners  were  confined  in  the  two 
main  decks  below.  The  lowest  dungeon 
was  inhabited  by  those  prisoners  who  were 
foreigners,  and  whose  treatment  was  more* 
severe  than  that  of  the  Americans. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  lower  region  were 
the  mo^t  miserable  and  disgusting-looking 
objects  that  can  be  conceived.  Daily  wash 
ing  with  salt  water,  together  with  their 
extreme  emaciation,  caused  their  skin  to 
appear  like  dried  parchment.  Many  of 


108      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

them  remained  unwashed  for  weeks ;  their 
hair  long  and  matted,  and  filled  with  ver 
min  ;  their  beards  never  cut,  excepting  occa 
sionally  with  a  pair  of  shears,  which  did  not 
improve  their  comeliness,  though  it  might 
add  to  their  comfort.  Their  clothes  were 
mere  rags,  secured  to  their  bodies  in  every 
way  that  ingenuity  could  devise. 

Many  of  these  men  had  been  in  this  lam 
entable  condition  for  two  years,  part  of  the 
time  on  board  other  prison-ships ;  and,  having 
given  up  all  hope  of  ever  being  exchanged, 
had  become  resigned  to  their  situation. 
These  men  were  foreigners,  whose  whole 
lives  had  been  one  continual  scene  of  toil 
hardship,  and  suffering.  Their  feeling 
were  bmnted,  their  dispositions  soured ;  they 
had  no  sympathies  for  the  world  •  no  home 
to  mourn  for ;  no  friends  to  lament  for  their 
•fate. 

But  far  different  was  the  condition  of  the 
most  numerous  class  of  the  prisoners,  com 
posed  mostly  of  young  men  from  New  Eng 
land,  fresh  from  home. 

They  had  reason  to  deplore  the  sudden 
change  in  their  condition.  The  thoughts 
of  home,  of  parents,  brothers,  sisters,  and 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  109 

friends,  would  crowd  upon  their  minds ;  and, 
'  brooding  on  what  they  had  been,  and  what 
they  were,  their  desire  for  home  became 
a  madness."  The  dismal  and  disgusting 
scene  around;  the  wretched  objects  con 
tinually  in  sight,  and  "hope  deferred,  which 
maketh  the  heart  sick,"  produced  a  state  ot 
melancholy,  that  often  ended  in  death — tne 
death  of  a  broken  heart. 

"  O  ye  !  who,  sunk  in  beds  of  down, 
Feel  not  a  want  but  what  yourselves  create 
Think,  for  a  moment,  on  his  wretched  fate, 
Whom  friends  and  fortune  quite  disown. 
Ill-satisfied  keen  nature's  clam'rous  call, 
Stretched  on  his  straw,  he  lays  himself  to  sleep.  .  .  . 
Think  on  the  dungeon's  grim  confine, 

Where  guilt  and  poor  misfortune  pine 

The  wretch,  already  crushed  low 
By  cruel  fortune's  undeserved  blow." 

In  the  morning,  the  prisoners  were  per 
mitted  to  ascend  the  upper  deck,  to  spend 
the  day,  till  ordered  below  at  sunset.  A 
certain  number,  who  were  for  the  time  called 
the  "working  party,"  performed  in  rotation 
the  duty  of  bringing  up  hammocks  and  bed 
ding  for  airing,  likewise  the  sick  and  infirm, 
and  the  bodies  of  those  who  had  died  during 
the  night :  of  these  there  were  generally  a 
10 


110  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

number  every  morning.  After  these  services . 
it  was  their  duty  to  wash  the  decks.  Uur 
beds  and  clothing  were  allowed  to  remain  on 
deck  till  we  were  ordered  below  for  the 
night ;  this  was  of  considerable  benefit,  as  it 
gave  some  of  the  vermin  an  opportunity 
to  migrate  from  the  quarters  they  had  in 
habited. 

About  two  hours  before  sunset,  orders 
were  given  to  the  prisoners  to  carry  all  their 
things  below;  but  we  were  permitted  to 
remain  above  till  we  retired  for  the  night 
into  our  unhealthy  and  crowded  dungeons. 
At  sunset,  our  ears  were  saluted  with  the 
insulting  and  hateful  sound  from  our  keep 
ers,  of  "  Down,  rebels,  down,"  and  we  were 
hurried  below,  the  hatchways  fastened  over 
us,  and  we  were  left  to  pass  the  night  amid 
the  accumulated  horrors  of  sighs  and  groans, 
of  foul  vapor,  a  nauseous  and  putrid  atmos 
phere,  in  a  stifled  and  almost  suffocating 
heat.  The  tiers  of  holes  through  the  sides 
of  the  ship  were  strongly  grated,  but  not 
provided  with  glass ;  and  it  was  considered 
a  privilege  to  sleep  near  one  of  these  aper 
tures  in  hot  weather  for  the  pure  air  that 
passed  in  at  them.  But  little  sleep,  however, 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  Ill 

be  enjoyed  even  there ;  for  the  vermin 
were  iso  horribly  abundant,  that  all  the  per 
sonal  cleanliness  we  could  practise  would 
not  protect  us  from  their  attacks,  or  prevent 
their  effecting  a  lodgment  upon  us. 

When  any  of  the  prisoners  died  in  the 
Might,  their  bodies  were  brought  to  the  upper 
-leek  in  the  morning,  and  placed  upon  the 
gratings.  If  the  deceased  had  owned  a 
blanket,  any  prisoner  might  sew  it  around 
the  corpse,  and  then  it  was  lowered  with  a 
rope,  tied  round  the  middle,  down  the  side 
of  the  ship  into  a  boat.  Some  of  the  prison 
ers  were  allowed  to  go  on  shore,  under  a 
guard,  to  perform  the  labor  of  interment. 
Having  arrived  on  shore,  they  found  in  a 
small  hut  some  tools  for  digging,  and  a 
hand-barrow  on  which  the  body  was  con 
veyed  to  the  place  for  burial. 

Here  in  a  bank  near  the  Wallabout,  a 
hole  was  excavated  in  the  sand,  in  which  the 
body  was  put,  and  then  slightly  covered ; 
the  guard  not  giving  time  sufficient  to  per 
form  this  melancholy  service  in  a  faithful 
manner.  Many  bodies  would,  in  a  few  days 
after  this  mockery  of  a  burial,  be  exposed 
r  mrly  bare  bv  the  action  of  the  elements. 


112      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

l(  By  feeble  hands  their  shallow  graved  were  made: 
No  stone,  memorial  of  their  corpses,  laid. 
In  barren  sands,  and  far  from  home,  they  lie, 
No  friend  to  shed  a  tear  when  passing  by  ; 
O'er  the  mean  tombs  insulting  foemen  tread  ; 
Spurn  at  the  sand,  and  curse  the  rebel  dead." 

This  was  the  last  resting  place  of  many  a 
son  and  a  brother ;  young  and  noble-spirited 
men,  who  had  left  their  happy  homes  and 
kind  friends  to  offer  their  lives  in  the  service 
of  their  country ;  but  they  little  thought  of 
such  a  termination  to  their  active  career; 
they  had  not  expected  to  waste  their  energies 
in  this  dreadful  prison. 

Poor  fellows !  they  suffered  more  than 
their  older  companions  in  misery.  They 
could  not  endure  the  hopeless  and  wearisome 
captivity ;  to  live  on  from  day  to  day,  denied 
the  power  of  doing  anything;  condemned  to 
that  irksome  and  heart-sickening  of  all  situ 
ations,  utter  inactivity ;  their  restless  and 
impetuous  spirits,  like  caged  lions,  panted  to 
be  free,  and  the  conflict  was  too  much  for 
endurance,  enfeebled  and  worn  out  as  they 
were  with  suffering  and  confinement. 

"Denied  the  comforts  of  a  dying  bed. 
With  not  a  pillow  to  support  the  head  ; 
How  could  they  else  but  pine,  and  grieve  and  sigh, 
Detest  that  wretched  life,  and  wish  to  die? " 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  113 

It  was  a  painful  task  for  the  prisoners  to 
carry,  to  this  unconsecrated  burial  place,  the 
bodies  of  those  who  had  been  their  compan 
ions  for  months  perhaps,  and  who  were 
endeared  to  them  by  their  love  for  the  same 
glorious  cause,  and  the  same  feeling  of 
resentment  towards  their  unmanly  oppres 
sors. 

The  fate  of  many  of  these  unhappy 
victims  must  have  remained  forever  un 
known  to  their  friends;  for,  in  so  large  a 
number,  no  exact  account  could  be  kept  of 
those  who  died,  and  they  rested  in  a  name 
less  grave ;  while  those,  who  performed  the 
last  sad  rites,  were  hurried  away  before 
their  task  was  half  completed,  and  forbidden 
to  express  their  horror  and  indignation  at 
this  insulting  negligence  toward  the  dead. 

But  the  emotions,  thus  suppressed,  only 
glowed  the  more  intensely  within  their 
bosoms,  and  contributed  as  much  as  any 
other  cause  to  keep  alive  the  hatred  and 
animosity  toward  their  enemies. 


114  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  regular  crew  of  the  Jersey  consisted 
of  a  captain,  two  mates,  a  steward,  a  cook, 
and  about  a  dozen  sailors.  There  was  like 
wise  on  board  a  guard  of  ten  or  twelve  old 
invalid  marines,  who  were  unfit  for  active 
service ;  and  a  guard  of  about  thirty  sol 
diers,  from  the  different  regiments  quartered 
on  Long  Island,  who  were  relieved  by  a 
fresh  party  every  week. 

The  physical  force  of  the  prisoners  was 
sufficient  at  any  time  to  take  possession  of 
the  ship ;  but  the  difficulty  was,  to  dispose 
of  themselves  after  a  successful  attempt. 
Long  Island  was  in  possession  of  the  British, 
and  the  inhabitants  were -favorable  to  the 
British  cause.  To  leave  the  ship,  and  land 
upon  the  island,  would  be  followed  by 
almost  certain  detection ;  and  the  miseries 
of  our  captivity  would  be  increased  by 
additional  cruelties  heaped  upon  us  from 
the  vindictive  feelings  of  our  oppressors. 

Yet,  small  as  was  the  chance  for  succeed- 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  115 

ing  in  the  undertaking,  the  attempt  to  escape 
was  often  made,  and  in  not  a  few  instances 
with  success. 

Our  sufferings  were  so  intolerable,  that 
we  felt  it  to  be  our  duty  to  expose  ourselves 
to  almost  any  risk  to  obtain  our  liberty.  To 
remain  on  board  of  the  prison  ship  seemed 
to  be  certain  death,  and  in  its  most  horrid 
form ;  to  be  killed,  while  endeavoring  to  get 
away,  could  be  no  worse. 

American  prisoners  are  proverbial  for 
their  ingenuity  in  devising  ways  and  means 
to  accomplish  their  plans,  whether  they  be 
devised  for  their  own  comfort  and  benefit, 
or  for  the  purpose  of  annoying  and  tor 
men  ting  their  keepers. 

Although  we  were  guarded  with  vigi 
lance,  yet  there  did  not  appear  much  system 
in  the  management  of  the  prisoners ;  for  we 
frequently  missed  a  whole  "mess"  from 
our  number,  while  their  disappearance  was 
not  noticed  by  our  keepers.  Occasionally  a 
few  would  be  brought  back,  who  had  been 
found  in  the  woods  upon  Long  Island,  and 
taken  up  by  the  "  Tories." 

Our  mess  one  day  noticed,  that  the  mess 
that  occupied  the  place  next  to  them  were 


116      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

among  the  missing.  This  circumstance  led 
to  much  conjecture  and  inquiry  respecting 
the  manner  in  which  they  had  effected  their 
escape.  By  watching  the  movements  of  our 
neighbors,  we  soon  found  out  the  process 
necessary  to  be  adopted.  Any  plan,  which 
a  mess  had  formed,  they  kept  a  secret 
among  their  number,  in  order  to  insure  a 
greater  prospect  of  success.  In  this  way, 
we  were  kept  ignorant  for  a  long  time  of  the 
manner  in  which  the  undertaking  was  ac 
complished. 

For  the  convenience  of  the  officers  of  the 
prison  ship,  a  closet,  called  the  "  round 
house,"  had  been  constructed  under  the 
forecastle,  the  door  of  which  was  kept 
locked.  This  room  was  seldom  used,  there 
being  other  conveniences  in  the  ship  prefer 
able  to  it. 

Some  of  the  prisoners  had  contrived  to 
pick  the  lock  of  the  door ;  and,  as  it  was  not 
discovered,  the  door  remained  unfastened. 

After  we  had  missed  our  neighboring  pris 
oners,  and  had  ascertained  to  our  satisfac 
tion  their  mode  of  operation,  the  members 
of  our  mess  determined  to  seize  the  first  op 
portunity  offered  to  attempt  our  escape.  We 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  117 

selected  a  day,  about  the  fifteenth  of  August, 
and  made  all  the  preparations  in  our  power 
for  ensuring  us  success  in  our  undertaking. 

At  sun-set,  when  the  usual  cry  from  the 
officer  of  the  guard,  "Down,  rebels,  down," 
was  heard,  instead  of  following  the  multi 
tude  down  the  hatchways,  our  mess,  con 
sisting  of  six,  all  Americans,  succeeded  in 
getting  into  the  "  round  house,"  excepting 
one.  The  round  house  was  found  too 
small  to  contain  more  than  five ;  and  the 
sixth  man,  whose  name,  I  think,  was  Put 
nam,  of  Boston,  concealed  himself  under 
a  large  tub,  that  happened  to  be  lying  near 
the  place  of  our  confinement. 

The  situation  of  the  five,  as  closely  packed 
in  the  "round  house"  as  we  could  stand  arid 
breathe,  was  so  uncomfortable  as  to  make 
us  very  desirous  of  vacating  it  as  soon  as 
possible. 

We  remained  thus  cooped  up,  hardly  dar 
ing  to  breathe,  for  fear  that  we  should  be 
heard  by  the  guard.  The  prisoners  were  all 
below,  and  no  noise  was  heaid  above,  saving 
the  tramp  of  the  guard  as  he  paced  the  deck. 

It  was  customary,  after  the  prisoners  were 
secured  below,  for  the  ship's  mate  every 


118      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

night  to  search  above:  this,  however,  was 
considered  a  mere  form,  and  the  duty  was 
very  imperfectly  executed.  While  we  were 
anxiously  waiting  for  the  completion  of  this 
service,  an  event  transpired,  that  we  little 
anticipated,  and  which  led  to  our  detection. 
One  of  the  prisoners,  an  Irishman,  had 
made  his  arrangements  to  escape  the  same 
evening,  and  had  not  communicated  with 
any  one  on  the  subject,  excepting  a  coun 
tryman  of  his,  whom  he  persuaded  to  bury 
him  up  in  the  coal-hole,  near  the  forecastle. 
Whether  his  friend  covered  him  faithfully 
or  not,  or  whether  the  Irishman  thought 
that  if  he  could  not  see  anybody,  nobody 
could  see  him,  or  whether,  feeling  uncom 
fortable  in  his  position,  he  turned  over  to 
relieve  himself,  I  know  not;  but,  when  the 
mate  looked  into  the  coal-hole,  he  espied 
something  rather  whiter  than  the  coal, 
which  he  soon  ascertained  to  be  the  Irish 
man's  shoulder.  This  discovery  made  the 
officer  suspicious,  and  induced  him  to  make 
a  more  thorough  search  than  usual.  We 
heard  the  uproar  that  followed  the  dis 
covery,  and  the  threats  of  the  mate  that  he 
"  would  search  everv  b  d  corner.;;  He 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.          119 

soon  arrived  at  the  round  house,  and  we 
heard  him  ask  a  soldier  for  the  key.  Our 
hopes  and  expectations  were  a  little  raised, 
when  we  heard  the  soldier  reply,  "  There  is 
no  need  of  searching  this  place,  for  the  door 
is  kept  constantly  locked."  But  the  mate 
was  not  to  be  diverted  from  his  purpose, 
and  ordered  the  soldier  to  get  the  key. 

During  the  absence  of  the  soldier,  we  had 
a  little  time  to  reflect  upon  the  dangers  of 
our  situation ;  crowded  together  in  a  space 
so  small  as  not  to  admit  of  motion,  with  no 
other  protection  than  the  thickness  of  a 
board ;  guarded  on  the  outside  by  about  a 
dozen  soldiers,  armed  with  cutlasses;  and 
the  mate,  considerably  drunk,  with  a  pistol 
in  each  hand,  threatening  to  fire  through, 
every  moment,  our  feelings  may  be  more 
easily  conceived  than  described.  There  was 
but  little  time  for  deliberation;  something 
must  be  immediately  done.  We  knew,  that, 
as  soon  as  we  should  be  compelled  to  quit 
our  hiding-place,  our  destination  would  be 
the  quarter-deck  for  the  night;  the  luxury 
of  sleeping  below  would  not  be  granted  to 
prisoners  detected  in  the  heinous  crime  of 
attempting  their  escape. 


120      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

In  a  whispering  consultation  of  a  few  mo 
ments,  we  concluded  that  the  safest  course 
we  could  pursue  would  be  to  break  out  with 
all  the  violence  we  could  exercise,  overcome 
every  obstacle,  and  reach  the  quarter-deck. 
By  this  time,  the  soldier  had  arrived  with 
the  key,  and  upon  applying  it  the  door  was 
found  to  be  unlocked.  We  now  heard  our 
last  summons  from  the  mate,  with  impreca 
tions  too  horrid  to  repeat,  an.d  threatening 
us  with  instant  destruction  if  we  did  not 
immediately  come  out. 

To  remain  any  longer  where  we  were 
would  have  been  certain  death  to  some  of 
us;  we  therefore  carried  our  hastily-formed 
plan  into  operation.  The  door  opened  out 
wards,  and,  forming  ourselves  into  a  solid 
body,  we  burst  open  the  door,  rushed  out 
pell-mell,  and,  making  a  brisk  use  of  our 
fists,  knocked  the  guard  heels  over  head  in 
all  directions,  at  the  same  time  running 
with  all  possible  speed  for  the  quarter-deck. 
As  I  rushed  out,  being  in  the  rear.  I  re 
ceived  a  wound  from  a  cutlass  on  my  side, 
the -scar  of  which  remains  to  this  day. 

As  nearly  all  the  guard  were  prostrated 
by  our  unexpected  sally,  we  arrived  at  our 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  121 

lestmed  place,  without  being  pursued  by 
anything  but  curses  and  threats. 

The  mate  exercised  his  authority  to  pro 
tect  us  from  the  rage  of  the  soldiers  who 
were  in  pursuit  of  us  as  soon  as  they  had 
recovered  from  the  prostration  into  which 
they  had  involuntarily  been  thrown;  and, 
with  the  assistance  of  the  captain's  mistress, 
whom  the  noise  had  brought  upon  deck, 
and  whose  sympathy  was  excited  when  she 
saw  we  were  about  to  be  murdered :  she 
placed  herself  between  us  and  the  enraged 
guard,  and  made  such  an  outcry  as  to  bring 
the  captain  up,  who  ordered  the  guard  to 
taKe  their  station  at  a  certain  distance  and 
watch  us  narrowly.  We  were  all  put  in 
irons,  our  feet  being  fastened  to  a  long  bar, 
a  guard  placed  over  us,  and  in  this  manner 
we  were  left  to  spend  the  night. 

During  the  time  of  the  transactions  re 
lated,  our  fellow-prisoner,  Putnam,  remained 
juiet  under  the  tub,  and  heard  the  noise 
iround  his  hiding-place.  He  was  not  suf 
fered  to  remain  long  in  suspense.  A  soldier 
ifted  up  the  tub,  and,  seeing  the  poor  pris 
oner,  thrust  his  bayonet  into  his  body  'jus/ 
11 


122      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

above  his  hip,  and  then  drove  him  to  the 
quarter-deck  to  take  his  station  in  irons 
among  us.  The  blood  flowed  profusely 
from  his  wound,  and  he  was  soon  after  sent 
on  board  of  the  hospital  ship,  and  we  never 
heard  anything  respecting  him  afterwards. 

With  disappointed  expectations,  we  passed 
a  dreary  night.  A  cold  fog,  followed  by 
rain,  came  on ;  to  which  we  were  exposed, 
without  any  blankets  or  covering  to  protect 
us  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather. 
Our  sufferings  of  mind  and  body  during 
that  horrible  night  exceeded  any  that  I 
have  ever  experienced.  We  were  chilled 
almost  to  death,  and  the  only  way  we  could 
preserve  heat  enough  in  our  bodies  to  pre 
vent  our  perishing  was  to  lie  upon  each 
other  by  turns.  Morning  at  length  came, 
and  we  were  released  from  our  fetters.  Our 
limbs  were  so  stiff  that  we  could  hardly 
stand.  Our  fellow-prisoners  assisted  us 
below,  and,  wrapping  us  in  blankets,  we 
were  at  length  restored  to  a  state  of  com 
parative  comfort. 

For  attempting  to  escape  we  were  pun 
ished  by  having  our  miserable  allowance 
reduced  one  third  in  quantity  for  a  month ; 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  123 

and  we  had  found  the  whole  of  it  hardly 
sufficient  to  sustain  life.  This  diminution 
in  our  fare  was  the  only  variety  we  experi 
enced  in  our  monotonous  lives  for  several 
weeks. 

One  day  a  boat  came  alongside,  containing 
about  sixty  firkins  of  grease,  which  they 
called  butter.  The  prisoners  were  always 
ready  to  assist  in  the  performance  of  any 
labor  necessary  to  be  done  on  board  of  the 
ship,  as  it  afforded  some  little  relief  to  the 
tedious  monotony  of  their  lives.  On  this 
occasion,  they  were  ready  to  assist  in  hoist 
ing  the  butter  on  board.  The  firkins  were 
first  deposited  upon  the  deck,  and  then 
lowered  down  the  main  hatchway.  Some 
of  the  prisoners,  who  were  the  most  officious 
in  giving  their  assistance,  contrived  to  se 
crete  a  firkin,  by  rolling  it  forward  under 
the  forecastle,  and  afterwards  carrying  it 
below  in  their  bedding. 

This  was  considered  as  quite  a  wind-fall ; 
and,  being  divided  among  a  few  of  us, 
proved  a  considerable  luxury.  It  helped  to 
fill  up  the  pores  in  our  mouldy  bread,  when 
the  worms  were  dislodged,  and  gave  to  the 
crumbling  particles  a  little  more  consistence. 


124  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

Several  weeks  after  our  unsuccessful  at 
tempt  to  escape,  another  one,  attended  with 
better  success,  was  made  by  a  number  of 
the  prisoners.  At  sunset  the  prisoners  were 
driven  below,  and  the  main  hatchway  was 
closed.  In  this  there  was  a  small  trap-door, 
large  enough  for  a  man  to  pass  through,  and 
a  sentinel  was  placed  over  it  with  orders  to 
permit  but  one  prisoner  at  a  time  to  come 
up  during  the  night. 

The  plan  that  had  been  formed  was  this  : 
one  of  the  prisoners  should  ascend,  and  dis 
pose  of  the  sentinel  in  such  a  manner  that 
he  should  be  no  obstacle  in  the  way  of  those 
who  were  to  follow. 

Among  the  soldiers  was  an  Irishman 
who,  in  consequence  of  having  a  head  of 
hair  remarkable  for  its  curly  appearance 
and  withal  a  very  crabbed  disposition,  had 
been  nicknamed  "  Billy  the  Ram.77  He  was 
the  sentry  on  deck  this  night,  for  one  was 
deemed  sufficient,  as  the  prisoners  were  con 
sidered  secure  when  they  were  below,  hav 
ing  no  other  place  of  egress  saving  the  trap 
door,  over  which  the  sentinel  was  stationed 
Late  in  the  night,  one  of  the  prisoners,  a 
bold,  athletic  fellow  ascended  upon  deck, 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  123 

and  in  an  artful  manner  engaged  the  atten 
tion  of  "  Billy  the  Ram/7  in  conversation 
respecting  the  war ;  lamenting  that  he  had 
ever  engaged  in  so  unnatural  a  contest; 
expressing  his  intention  of  enlisting  in 
the  British  service;  and  requesting  Billy's 
advice  as  to  the  course  necessary  to  be 
pursued  to  obtain  the  confidence  of  the 
officers. 

Billy  happened  to  be  in  a  mood  to  take 
some  interest  in  his  views,  and  showed  an 
inclination,  quite  uncommon  for  him,  to 
prolong  the  conversation.  Unsuspicious  of 
any  evil  design  on  the  part  of  the  prisoner, 
and  while  leaning  carelessly  on  his  gun, 
" Billy77  received  a  tremendous  blow  from 
the  fist  of  his  entertainer,  on  the  back  of  his 
head,  which  brought  him  to  the  deck  in  a 
state  of  insensibility.  As  soon  as  he  was 
heard  to  fall  by  those  below,  who  were 
anxiously  waiting  the  result  of  the  friendly 
conversation  of  their  pioneer  with  "  Billy," 
and  were  satisfied  that  the  final  knock-down 
argument  had  been  given ;  they  began  to 
ascend,  and,  one  after  another,  to  jump 
overboard,  to  the  amount  of  about  thirty, 

lit 


126      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

The  noise  aroused  the  guard,  who  came 
upon  deck,  where  they  found  "  Billy,'7  not 
sufficiently  recovered  from  the  stunning 
effects  of  the  blow  he  had  received,  to  give 
any  account  of  the  transaction.  A  noise 
was  heard  in  the  water ;  but  it  was  so  dark 
that  no  object  could  be  distinguished.  The 
attention  of  the  guard,  however,  was  di 
rected  to  certain  spots,  which  exhibited  a 
luminous  appearance,  which  salt  water  is 
known  to  assume  in  the  night  when  it  is 
agitated;  and  to  these  appearances  they 
directed  their  fire,  and,  getting  out  the  boats, 
picked  up  about  half  of  the  number  that 
attempted  to  escape,  many,  of  whom  were 
wounded,  though  no  one  was  killed.  The 
rest  escaped. 

During  the  uproar  overhead,  the  prisoners 
below  encouraged  the  fugitives  and  ex 
pressed  their  approbation  of  their  proceed 
ings  in  three  hearty  cheers ;  for  which  grati 
fication  we  suffered  our  usual  punishment 
— a  short  allowance  of  our  already  short 
and  miserable  fare. 

For  about  a  fortnight  after  this  transac 
tion,  it  would  have  been  a  hazardous  ex 
periment  to  approach  near  to  "  Billy  the 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  127 

Ram,"  and  it  was  a  long  time  before  we 
ventured  to  speak  to  him,  and  finally  to 
obtain  from  him  an  account  of  the  events 
of  that  evening. 

Not  long  after  this,  another  successful 
attempt  to  escape  was  made,  which  for  its 
boldness  is  perhaps  unparalleled  in  the  his 
tory  of  such  transactions. 

One  pleasant  morning  about  ten  o'clock, 
a  boat  came  alongside,  containing  a  number 
of  gentlemen  from  New- York,  who  came 
for  the  purpose  of  gratifying  themselves 
with  a  sight  of  the  miserable  tenants  of  the 
prison-ship :  influenced  by  the  same  kind  of 
curiosity  that  induces  some  people  to  travel 
a  great  distance  to  witness  an  execution. 

The  boat,  which  was  a  beautiful  yawl, 
and  sat  like  a  swan  upon  the  water,  was 
manned  by  four  oarsmen,  with  a  man  at  the 
helm.  Considerable  attention  and  respect 
was  shown  to  the  visitors,  the  ship's  side 
being  manned  when  they  showed  their  in 
tention  of  coming  on  board,  and  the  usual 
naval  courtesies  extended.  The  gentlemen 
were  soon  on  board ;  and  the  crew  of  the 
<rawl,  having  secured  her  to  the  fore-chains 


128  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

on  the  larboard  side  of  the  ship,  were 
mitted  to  ascend  the  deck. 

A  soldier  as  usual  was  pacing  with  a  slow 
and  measured  tread  the  whole  length  of  the 
deck,  wheeling  round  with  military  pre 
cision  when  he  arrived  at  the  end  of  his 
walk ;  and,  whether  upon  this  occasion  any 
one  interested  in  his  movements  had  se 
cretly  slipped  a  guinea  into  his  hand,  not 
to  quicken,  but  to  retard  his  progress,  was 
never  known ;  but  it  was  evident  to  the 
prisoners  that  he  had  never  occupied  so 
much  time  before  in  measuring  the  distance 
with  his  back  to  the  place  where  the  yawl 
was  fastened.  At  this  time,  there  were  sit 
ting  in  the  forecastle,  apparently  admiring 
the  beautiful  appearance  of  the  yawl,  four 
mates  and  a  captain,  who  had  been  brought 
on  board  as  prisoners  a  few  days  previous, 
taken  in  some  vessel  from  a  southern  port. 
*  As  soon  as  the  sentry  had  passed  these 
men,  in  his  straightforward  march,  they  in 
a  very  quiet  manner  lowered  themselves 
down  into  the  yawl,  cut  the  rope,  and  the 
four  mates  taking  in  hand  the  oars,  while 
the  captain  managed  the  helm,  in  less  time 
than  I  have  taken  to  describe  it,  they  were 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  129 

ander  full  sweep  from  the  ship.  They  plied 
the  oars  with  such  vigor,  that  every  stroke 
they  took  seemed  to  take  the  boat  out  of  the 
water.  In  the  mean  time,  the  sentry  heard 
nothing  and  saw  nothing  of  this  transaction, 
till  he  had  arrived  at  the  end  of  his  march, 
when,  in  wheeling  slowly  round,  he  could 
no  longer  affect  ignorance,  or  avoid  seeing 
that  the  boat  was  several  times  its  length 
from  the  ship.  He  immediately  fired ;  but, 
whether  he  exercised  his  best  skill  as  a 
marksman,  or  whether  it  was  on  account  of 
\he  boat  going  ahead  its  whole  length  at 
every  pull  of  the  rowers,  I  could  never 
exactly  ascertain :  but  the  ball  fell  harmless 
into  the  water.  The  report  of  the  gun 
brought  the  whole  guard  out,  who  blazed 
away  at  the  fugitives,  without  producing 
any  diminution  in  the  rapidity  of  their 
progress. 

By  this  time,  the  officers  of  the  ship  were 
on  deck  with  their  visitors ;  and,  while  all 
were  gazing  with  astonishment  at  the  bold 
ness  and  effrontery  of  the  achievement,  and 
the  guard  were  firing  as  fast  as  they  could 
load  their  guns,  the  captain  in  the  yawl  left 
the  helm,  and,  standing  erect  in  the  stem, 


130       REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

with  his  back  to  the  Jersey,  bending  his 
body  to  a  right  angle,  he  exhibited  the 
broadest  part  of  himself  to  their  view,  and 
with  a  significant  gesture  directed  their  at 
tention  to  it  as  a  proper  target  for  the  exer 
cise  of  their  skill.  This  contemptuous  de 
fiance  caused  our  captain  to  swell  with 
rage;  and  when  the  prisoners  gave  three 
cheers  to  the  yawl's  crew  as  expressive  of 
their  joy  at  their  success,  he  ordered  all  of 
us  to  be  driven  below  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet,  and  there  we  were  confined  the 
remainder  of  the  day.  These  five  men 
escaped,  greatly  to  the  mortification  of  the 
captain  and  officers  of  the  prison  ship. 
After  this,  as  long  as  I  remained  a  prisoner, 
whenever  any  visitors  came  on  board,  all 
the  prisoners  were  driven  below,  where  they 
were  obliged  to  remain  till  the  company  had 
departed. 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  131 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  miseries  of  our  condition  were  con 
tinually  increasing  :  the  pestilence  on  board 
spread  rapidly,  and  every  day  added  to  our 
bill  of  mortality.  The  young,  in  a  par 
ticular  manner,  were  its  most  frequent  vic 
tims.  The  number  of  the  prisoners  was 
continually  increasing,  notwithstanding  the 
frequent  and  successful  attempts  to  escape  : 
and  when  we  were  mustered  and  called 
upon  to  answer  to  our  names,  and  it  was 
ascertained  that  nearly  two  hundred  had 
mysteriously  disappeared  without  leaving 
any  information  of  their  departure,  the  offi 
cers  of  the  ship  endeavored  to  make  amends 
for  their  past  remissness  by  increasing  the 
rigor  of  our  confinement,  and  depriving  us 
of  all  hope  of  adopting  any  of  the  means  for 
liberating  ourselves  from  our  cruel  thraldom, 
so  successfully  practised  by  many  of  our 
comrades. 

With  the  hope  that  some  relief  might  be 
obtained  to  meliorate  the  wretchedness  ol 


132     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

our  situation,  the  prisoners  petitioned  Gen. 
Clinton,  commanding  the  British  forces  in 
New- York,  for  permission  to  send  a  memo 
rial  to  General  Washington,  describing  our 
condition,  and  requesting  his  influence  in 
our  behalf,  that  some  exchange  of  prisoners 
might  be  effected. 

Permission  was  obtained,  and  the  memo 
rial  was  sent.  In  a  few  days,  an  answer 
was  received  from  Gen.  Washington,  con 
taining  expressions  full  of  interest  and  sym 
pathy,  but  declaring  his  inability  to  do  any 
thing  for  our  relief  by  way  of  exchange,  as 
his  authority  did  not  extend  to  the  marine 
department  of  the  service,  and  that  soldiers 
could  not  consistently  be  exchanged  for 
sailors.  He  declared  his  intention,  however, 
to  lay  our  memorial  before  Congress,  and 
that  no  exertion  should  be  spared  by  him  to 
mitigate  our  sufferings. 

Gen.  Washington  at  the  same  time  sent 
letters  to  Gen.  Clinton,  and  to  the  British 
Commissary  of  Prisoners,  in  which  he 
remonstrated  against  their  cruel  treatment 
of  the  American  prisoners,  and  threatened, 
if  our  situation  was  not  made  more  tolerable, 
to  retaliate  by  placing  British  prisoners  in 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  133 

circumstances  as  rigorous  and  uncomfortable 
as  were  our  own  :  that  "  with  what  measure 
they  meted,  the  same  should  be  measured  to 
them  again." 

We  experienced  after  this  some  little 
improvement  in  our  food,  but  no  relaxation 
in  the  severity  of  our  confinement.  The 
interposition  of  Divine  Providence,  or  remo 
val  from  our  loathsome  prison,  seemed  the 
only  preservative  from  the  pestilence  which 
c:  walked  in  darkness  and  destroyed  at 
noon-day.'7 

The  long  detention  of  American  sailors 
on  board  of  British  prison-ships  was  to  be 
attributed  to  the  little  pains  that  were  taken 
by  our  countrymen  to  retain  British  subjects, 
who  were  taken  prisoners  on  the  ocean 
during  the  war.  Our  privateers  captured 
many  British  seamen;  who,  when  willing 
to  enlist  in  our  service,  as  was  generally  the 
case,  were  received  on  board  of  our  ships. 
Those,  who  were  brought  into  port,  were 
suffered  to  go  at  large  ;  for,  in  the  impover 
ished  condition  of  the  country,  no  state  o* 
town  was  willing  to  subject  itself  to  the  ex 
pense  of  maintaining  prisoners  in  a  state  of 
12 


134      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

confinement :  they  were  permitted  to  pro 
vide  for  themselves.  In  this  way,  \he 
number  of  British  seamen  was  too  small  for 
a  regular  and  equal  exchange.  Thus  the 
British  seamen,  after  their  capture,  enjoyed 
the  blessings  of  liberty,  the  light  of  the  sun, 
and  the  purity  of  the  atmosphere,  while  the 
poor  American  sailors  were  compelled  to 
drag  out  a  miserable  existence  amid  want 
and  distress,  famine  and  pestilence.  As 
every  principle  of  justice  and  humanity  was 
disregarded  by  the  British  in  the  treatment 
of  their  prisoners,  so  likewise  every  moral 
and  legal  right  was  violated  in  compelling 
them  to  enter  into  their  service. 

We  had  obtained  some  information  in 
relation  to  an  expected  draught  that  would 
soon  be  made  upon  the  prisoners  to  fill  up  a 
complement  of  men  that  were  wanted  for 
the  service  of  his  majesty's  fleet. 

One  day  in  the  latter  part  of  August,  our 
fears  of  the  dreaded  event  were  realized.  A 
British  officer  with  a  number  of  soldiers 
came  on  board.  The  prisoners  were  all 
ordered  on  deck,  placed  on  the  larboard 
gangway,  and  marched  in  single  file  round 
to  the  quarter-deck,  where  the  officers  stood 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  135 

to  inspect  them  and  select  such  ones  as 
suited  their  fancies,  without  any  reference 
to  the  rights  of  the  prisoners,  or  considering 
at  all  the  duties  they  owed  to  the  land  of 
their  nativity,  or  the  government  for  which 
they  had  fought  and  suifered. 

The  argument  was,  "Men  we  want,  and 
men  we  will  have."  We  continued  to 
march  round,  in  solemn  and  melancholy 
procession,  till  they  had  selected  from  among 
our  number  about  three  hundred  of  the 
ablest,  nearly  all  of  whom  were  Americans, 
and  they  were  directed  to  go  below  under  a 
guard,  to  collect  together  whatever  things 
they  wished  to  take  belonging  to  them. 
They  were  then  driven  into  the  boats,  wait 
ing  alongside,  and  left  the  prison-ship,  not 
to  enjoy  their  freedom,  but  to  be  subjected  to 
the  iron  despotism,  and  galling  slavery  of  a 
Pritish  man-of-war ;  to  waste  their  lives  in 
a  foreign  service  ;  and  toil  for  masters  whom 
'.hey  hated.  Such,  however,  were  the  hor 
rors  of  our  situation  as  prisoners,  and  so 
small  was  the  prospect  of  relief,  that  we 
almost  envied  the  lot  of  those  who  left  the 
ship  to  go  into  the  service  even  of  our  enemy. 

That  the  reader  may  not  think  I  have 


13$  REVOLUTIONARY   Al'VENTUREt 

given  an  exaggerated  account  of  our  suffer 
ings  on  board  of  the  Jersey,  I  will  here 
introduce  some  facts  related  in  the  ^histo 
ries  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  I  introduce 
them  as  an  apology  for  the  course  that  I 
and  many  of  my  fellow-citizens  adopted  to 
obtain  a  temporary  relief  from  our  sufferings. 

The  prisoners,  captured  by  Sir  William 
Howe  in  1776,  amounted  to  several  hun 
dreds. 

The  officers  only  were  admitted  to  parole, 
and  had  miserable  quarters  assigned  them, 
but  the  privates  were  confined  in  prisons, 
deserted  churches,  and  other  large  open 
buildings  ;  entirely  unfit  for  the  habitations 
of  human  beings,  in  severe  winter  weather, 
without  any  of  the  most  ordinary  comforts 
of  life. 

To  the  everlasting  and  indelible  disgrace 
of  the  British  name,  these  unfortunate  vic 
tims  of  a  barbarity  more  befitting  savages, 
than  gentlemen  belonging  to  a  nation  boast 
ing  itself  to  be  the  most  enlightened  and 
civilized  in  the  world,  perished  many  hun- 

*  See  Gordon's,  Ramsay's,  and  Botta'-  Histories  of  tne 
American  Revolution. 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  137 

dreds  of  them,  from  want  of  proper  food  and 
attention. 

The  cruelty  of  their  inhuman  jailers  was 
not  terminated  by  the  death  of  these  wretched 
men,  as  so  little  care  was  taken  to  remove 
their  bodies,  that  SEVEN  CORPSES  have  been 
seen  at  one  time  lying  in  one  of  these  build 
ings  in  the  midst  of  their  living  fellow-pris 
oners,  who  were,  perhaps,  envying  them 
their  release  from  misery. 

The  food,  given  the  imprisoned  "rebels," 
as  the  British  called  them,  was  not  only 
deficient  in  quantity;  but  even  the  scanty 
portion  dealt  them  was  such,  as  would 
scarcely  be  tolerated  by  the  meanest  beg 
gar,  being  generally  that  which  had  been 
rejected  by  the  British  ships  as  unfit  to  be 
eaten  by  the  sailors,  and  unwholesome  in 
the  highest  degree,  as  well  as  disgusting  in 
taste  and  appearance. 

In  December,  1776,  the  American  board 
of  war  after  procuring  such  evidence  as 
convinced  them  of  the  truth  of  their  state 
ment,  reported:  "That  there  were  nine 
hundred  privates,  and  three  hundred  offi 
cers,  of  the  American  army,  prisoners  in  the 
12* 


138  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

city  of  New  York,  and  five  hundred  pri 
vates  and  fifty  officers,  in  Philadelphia. 
That,  since  the  beginning  of  October,  all 
these  prisoners,  both  officers  and  privates, 
had  been  confined  in  prison-ships  or  the 
provost.  That,  from  the  best  evidence  the 
subject  could  admit  of,  the  general  allow 
ance  of  the  prisoners  did  not  exceed  four 
ounces  of  meat  per  day,  and  that  often  so 
damaged  as  not  to  be  eatable.  That  it  had 
--?en  a  common  practice  with  the  British  to 
Keep  their  prisoners  four  or  five  days  with 
out  a  morsel  of  meat,  and  then  tempt  them 
to  enlist,  to  save  their  lives." 

Many  were  actually  starved  to  death,  in 
hope  of  making  them  enrol  themselves  in 
the  British  army. 

The  American  sailors,  when  captured, 
suffered  even  more  than  the  soldiers ;  for 
they  were  confined  on  board  prison-ships  in 
great  numbers,  and  in  a  manner  which 
showed  that  the  British  officers  were  will 
ing  to  treat  fellow-beings,  whose  only  crime 
was  love  of  liberty,  worse  than  the  vilest 
animals;  and  indeed,  in  every  respect,  with 
as  much  Cruelty  as  »s  PB  lured  by  the  mis- 


OF   EBENEZER    FOX.  139 

erable  inhabitants   of  the   worst  class  of 
slave  ships. 

The  prisoners  were  so  crowded  in  these 
ships,  and  so  brutally  treated,  that,  in  con 
sequence  of  bad  food  and  impure  air;  dis 
eases  broke  out  among  them,  which  de 
stroyed  immense  numbers.  In  the  course 
of  the  war,  it  has  been  asserted  on  good 
evidence,  that  eleven  thousand  persons  died 
on  board  the  Jersey,  one  of  the  largest  of 
the  prison-ships,  stationed  in  East-river, 
near  New  York. 

These  unfortunate  beings  died  in  agony 
in  the  midst  of  their  fellow-sufferers,  who 
were  obliged  to  witness  their  tortures,  with 
out  the  power  of  relieving  their  dying  coun 
trymen,  even  by  cooling  their  parched  lips 
with  a  drop  of  cold  water,  or  a  breath  of 
fresh  air;  and,  when  the  last  breath  had 
left  the  emaciated  body,  they  sometimes 
remained  for  hours  in  close  contact  with  the 
corpse,  without  room  to  shrink  from  com 
panions  death  had  made  so  horrible.  And 
when  at  last  the  dead  were  removed,  they 
were  sent  in  boats  to  the  shore,  and  so  im 
perfectly  buried,  that,  long  after  the  wai 
was  ended,  their  bones  lay  whitening  i? 


140  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

the  sun  on  the  beach  of  Long  Island,  a  last 
ing  memorial  of  British  cruelty,  so  entirely 
unwarranted  by  all  the  laws  of  war,  or 
even  common  humanity. 

They  could  not  even  pretend  they  were 
retaliating;  for  the  Americans  invariably 
treated  their  prisoners  with  kindness,  and 
as  though  they  were  fellow-men.  All  the 
time  that  these  cruelties  were  performed, 
those,  who  were  deprived  of  every  comfort 
and  necessary,  were  constantly  entreated  to 
leave  the  American  service,  and  induced  to 
believe,  while  kept  from  all  knowledge  of 
public  affairs,  that  the  republican  cause 
was  hopeless ;  that  all  engaged  in  it  would 
meet  the  punishment  of  traitors  to  their 
king ;  and  that  all  their  prospect  of  saving 
their  lives,  or  escaping  from  an  imprison 
ment  worse  than  death  to  young  and  high- 
spirited  men,  as  most  of  them  were,  would 
be  in  joining  the  British  army,  where  they 
would  be  sure  of  good  pay  and  quick  pro 
motion. 

These  were  the  means  employed  by  out 
enemies  to  increase  their  own  forces,  and 
discourage  the  patriots,  and  it  is  not  strange 
that  they  were  successful  in  many  instances, 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  141 

High  sentiments  of  honor  could  not  well 
exist  in  the  poor,  half-famished  prisoners, 
who  were  denied  even  water  to  quench 
their  thirst,  or  the  privilege  of  breathing 
fresh,  pure  air;  and  cramped,  day  after 
day,  in  a  space  too  small  to  admit  of  exer 
cising  their  weary  limbs;  with  the  fear  of 
wasting  their  lives  in  a  captivity,  which 
could  not  serve  their  country,  nor  gain 
honor  to  themselves. 

But  worse  than  all  was  the  mortifying 
consideration,  that,  after  they  had  suffered 
for  the  love  of  their  country,  more  than  sol 
diers  in  active  service,  they  might  die  in 
these  horrible  places,  and  be  laid  with  their 
countrymen  on  the  shores  of  Long  Island, 
or  some  equally  exposed  spot,  without  the 
rites  of  burial,  and  their  names  never  be 
heard  of  by  those  who,  in  future  ages,  would 
look  back  to  the  roll  of  patriots,  who  died 
in  defence  of  liberty,  with  admiration  and 
respect;  while,  on  the  contrary,  by  dis 
sembling  for  a  time,  they  might  be  enabled 
to  regain  a  place  in  the  service  so  dear  to 
them,  and  in  which  they  were  ready  to  en 
dure  any  hardship  or  encounter  any  danger. 

Of  all  the  prisons,  on  land  or  water,  for 


142  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

the  confinement  of  the  Americans  during 
the  Revolutionary  war,  the  "Old  Jersey1' 
was  acknowledged  to  be  the  worst,  such  an 
accumulation  of  horrors  was  pot  to  be  found 
in  any  other  one,  or  perhaps  in  all  collec 
tively. 

The  very  name  of  it  struck  terror  into 
the  sailor's  heart,  and  caused  him  to  fight 
more  desperately,  to  avoid  being  made  a 
captive.  Suffering  as  we  did,  clay  after 
day,  with  no  prospect  of  relief;  our  number 
continually  augmenting,  and  all  hope  of 
escape  destroyed  by  the  increased  vigilance 
of  our  guards,  since  they  ascertained  how 
many  had  escaped ;  can  it  be  thought  strange 
that  the  younger  part  of  the  prisoners,  tc 
whom  confinement  seemed  worse  than  death, 
should  be  tempted  to  enlist  into  the  British 
service?  especially  when,  by  so  doing,  it 
was  probable  that  some  opportunity  would 
be  offered  to  desert  ?  a  course  which  many 
had  adopted  with  success.  We  were  satis 
fied  that  death  would  soon  put  an  end  to 
our  sufferings,  if  we  remained  prisoners 
much  longer ;  yet,  when  we  discussed  the 
expediency  of  seeking  a  change  in  our  con 
dition,  which  we  were  satisfied  could  not  be 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  143 

worse  under  any  circumstances,  and  it  was 
proposed  that  we  should  enter  the  service 
of  "King  George/'  our  minds  revolted  at 
the  idea,  and  we  abandoned  the  intention. 

In  the  midst  of  our  distress,  perplexities, 
and  troubles  at  this  period,  we  were  not  a 
little  puzzled  to  know  how  to  dispose  of  the 
vermin  that  would  accumulate  upon  our 
persons,  notwithstanding  all  our  attempts 
at  cleanliness.  To  catch  them  was  a  very 
easy  task,  but  to  undertake  to  deprive  each 
individual  captive  of  life,  as  rapidly  as  they 
could  have  been  taken,  would  have  been  a 
more  herculean  task  for  each  individual 
daily,  than  the  destruction  of  the  three  thou 
sand  Philistines  by  Samson  of  old.  To 
throw  them  overboard  would  have  been  but 
a  small  relief;  as  they  would  probably  add 
to  the  impurities  of  the  boiler,  by  being  de 
posited  in  it  the  first  time  it  was  filled  up 
for  cooking  our  unsavory  mess.  What  then 
was  to  be  done  with  them  ?  A  general  con 
sultation  was  held,  and  it  was  determined 
to  deprive  them  of  their  liberty.  This  being 
agreed  upon,  the  prisoners  immediately  went 
to  work,  for  their  comfort  and  amusement, 
to  make  a  liberal  contribution  of  those  mi* 


144  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

gratory  creatures,  who  were  compelled  to 
colonize  for  a  time  within  the  boundaries  of 
a  large  snuff-box  appropriated  for  the  pur 
pose.  There  they  lay,  snugly  ensconced, 
of  all  colors,  ages,  and  sizes,  to  the  amount 
of  some  thousands,  waiting  for  orders. 

British  recruiting  officers  frequently  came 
on  board,  and  held  out  to  the  prisoners 
tempting  offers  to  enlist  in  his  Majesty's  ser 
vice  ;  not  to  fight  against  their  own  country, 
but  to  perform  garrison  duty  in  the  island 
of  Jamaica. 

One  day  an  Irish  officer  came  on  board 
for  this  purpose,  and,  not  meeting  with 
much  success  among  the  prisoners  who  hap 
pened  to  be  upon  deck,  he  descended  below 
to  repeat  his  offers.  He  was  a  remarkably 
tall  man,  and  was  obliged  to  stoop  as  he 
passed  along  between  the  decks.  The  pris 
oners  were  disposed  for  a  frolic,  and  kept 
the  officer  in  their  company  for  some  time, 
flattering  him  with  expectations,  till  he  dis 
covered  their  insincerity,  and  left  them  in 
no  very  pleasant  humor.  As  he  passed 
along,  bending  his  body,  and  bringing  his 
broad  shoulders  to  nearly  a  horizontal  posi- 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  145 

tion,  the  idea  occurred  to  our  minds  to  fur 
nish  him  with  some  recruits  from  the  colony 
in  the  snuff-box.  A  favorable  opportunity 
presented,  the  cover  of  the  box  was  removed, 
and  the  whole  contents  discharged  upon  the 
red-coated  back  of  the  officer.  Three  cheers 
from  the  prisoners  followed  the  migration, 
and  the  officer  ascended  to  the  deck,  uncon 
scious  of  the  number  and  variety  of  recruits 
he  had  obtained  without  the  formality  of  an 
enlistment.  The  captain  of  the  ship,  suspi 
cious  that  some  joke  had  been  practised,  or 
some  mischief  perpetrated,  from  the  noise 
below,  met  the  officer  at  the  head  of  the 
gangway,  and,  seeing  the  vermin  crawling 
up  his  shoulders  and  aiming  at  his  head 
with  the  instinct  peculiar  to  them,  exclaimed, 
"Hoot,  mon,  wha'  is  the  matter  with  yer 
bock?"  The  captain  was  a  Scotchman. 
By  this  time  many  of  them,  in  their  wan 
derings,  had  travelled  round  from  the  rear 
to  the  front,  and  showed  themselves,  to  the 
astonishment  of  the  officer.  He  flung  off 
his  coat  in  a  paroxysm  of  rage,  which  was 
not  allayed  by  three  cheers  from  the  prison 
ers  on  the  deck.  Confinement  below,  with 
13 


146     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

a  short  allowance,  was  our  punishment  for 
this  gratification. 

From  some  information  we  had  obtained, 
we  were  in  daily  expectation  of  a  visit  from 
the  British  recruiting  officers;  and,  from 
the  summary  method  of  their  former  proce 
dure,  no  one  felt  safe  from  the  danger  of 
being  forced  into  their  service.  Many  of 
the  prisoners  thought  it  would  be  better  to 
enlist  voluntarily,  as  it  was  probable  thai 
afterwards  they  would  be  permitted  to  re- 
mam  on  Long  Island,  preparatory  to  their 
departure  for  the  West  Indies,  and  during 
that  time  some  opportunity  would  be  offered 
for  their  escape  to  the  Jersey  shore. 

To  remain  an  indefinite  time  as  prisoners, 
enduring  sufferings  and  privations  beyond 
what  human  nature  could  sustain,  or  to 
make  a  virtue  of  necessity,  and  with  appa 
rent  willingness  to  enlist  into  a  service,  into 
which  we  were  satisfied  that  we  should 
soon  be  impressed,  seemed  to  be  the  only 
alternatives. 

There  was  a  hope,  too,  that,  by  voluntarily 
enlisting,  we  should  obtain  a  degree  of  con 
fidence,  which  would  result  in  affording  us 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  147 

an  opportunity  of  deserting,  and  thereby 
regaining  our  liberty. 

While  prisoners  on  board  of  the  Jersey, 
we  could  obtain  no  accurate  knowledge  of 
the  success  of  the  American  cause.  The 
information  we  had,  came  from  our  ene 
mies,  whose  interest  it  was  to  deceive  us. 
They  magnified  our  disasters,  and  kept  us 
in  ignorance  of  our  success,  and  constantly 
represented  the  cause  as  hopeless.  Cold 
weather  was  approaching,  and  we  had  no 
comfortable  clothing  to  protect  us  from  the 
rigors  of  an  inclement  season. 

Situated  as  we  were,  there  appeared  to 
us  to  be  no  moral  turpitude  in  enlisting  in 
the  British  service,  especially  when  we 
considered  that  it  was  almost  certain  we 
should  soon  be  impressed  into  the  same. 
Our  moral  discernment  was  not  clear  enough 
to  perceive,  that  it  was  not  safe  "to  do  evil 
that  good  may  come."  We  thought  the 
end  justified  the  means,  and,  in  despair  of 
any  improvement  being  in  prospect  for  out 
liberation,  we  concluded  that  we  would 
enlist  for  soldiers,  for  the  West  India  ser 
vice,  and  trust  to  Providence  for  finding  an 


148  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

opportunity  to  leave  the  British  for  the 
American  service. 

Soon  after  we  had  formed  this  desperate 
resolution,  a  recruiting  officer  came  on  board 
to  enlist  men  for  the  eighty-eighth  regiment, 
to  be  stationed  at  Kingston,  in  the  island  of 
Jamaica.  We  had  just  been  trying  to  sat 
isfy  our  hunger  upon  a  piece  of  beef,  which 
was  so  tough  that  no  teeth  could  make  an 
impression  on  it,  when  the  officer  descended 
between  decks,  and  represented  to  us  the 
immense  improvement  that  we  should  expe 
rience  in  our  condition,  if  we  were  in  his 
Majesty's  service;  an  abundance  of  good 
food,  comfortable  clothing,  service  easy,  and 
in  the  finest  climate  in  the  world,  were 
temptations  too  great  to  be  resisted  by  a  set 
of  miserable,  half-starved,  and  almost  naked 
wretches,  as  we  were,  and  who  had  already 
concluded  to  accept  of  the  proposition  even 
had  it  beer,  made  under  circumstances  less 
enticing. 

The  recruiting  officer  presented  his  papers 
for  our  signature.  We  hesitated,  we  stared 
at  each  other,  and  felt  that  we  were  about 
to  do  a  deed  of  which  we  were  ashamed, 
and  which  we  might  regret.  Again  we 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  149 

heard  the  tempting  offers,  and  again  the 
assurance  that  we  should  not  be  called 
upon  to  fight  against  our  government  or 
country ;  and,  with  the  hope  that  we  should 
find  an  opportunity  to  desert,  of  which  it 
was  our  firm  intention  to  avail  ourselves 
when  offered — with  such  hopes,  expecta 
tions,  and  motives,  we  signed  the  papers, 
and  became  soldiers  in  his  Majesty's  service. 
How  often  did  we  afterwards  lament  that 
we  had  ever  lived  to  see  this  hour !  how 
often  did  we  regret  that  we  were  not  in  our 
wretched  prison-ship  again  or  buried  in  the 
sand  at  the  Wallabout ! 

19* 


160     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER  X. 

WE  shortly  after,  twelve  in  number,  left  the 
Jersey,  and  were  landed  upon  Long  Island 
and  marched  under  a  guard  about  a  mile  to 
an  old  barn,  where  we  were  quartered.  We 
had  formed  our  plan  to  desert  that  night; 
but  great  was  our  disappointment  and  sur 
prise  to  find,  that  the  barn  was  surrounded 
by  a  strong  guard,  as  though  our  design 
was  suspected  and  means  were  taken  to  pre 
vent  it.  Though  our  lodgings  seemed  a 
palace  compared  with  our  prison-ship,  yet 
sleep  was  a  stranger  to  us  during  that  night 
Under  various  pretexts,  we  frequently  went 
out  to  reconnoitre ;  but  were  satisfied  that 
there  was  no  chance  for  escape  then,  and 
must  trust  to  Providence  for  some  more 
favorable  opportunity.  The  next  morning, 
after  we  had  partaken  of,  what  appeared  to 
us,  a  luxurious  repast,  we  were  paraded  for 
drill,  and  then  marched  down  to  the  shore 
under  a  guard  of  twenty  soldiers,  whom  the 
officers  called,  in  compliment  to  us,  an 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  151 

escort ;  an  honor  with  which  we  could  very 
well  have  dispensed.  In  our  march,  we 
passed  the  Jersey;  and  this  gloomy  hulk, 
with  all  the  horrible  associations  connected 
with  it,  seemed  a  desirable  resting  place, 
compared  with  the  melancholy  prospect 
before  us.^ 

Disappointed  in  all  our  hopes  and  expecta 
tions  of  escape,  we  were  hurried  on  board  of 
a  vessel  ready  to  sail  for  Jamaica,  only  wait 
ing  for  a  favorable  wind.  We  entertained 
a  faint  hope,  that,  during  our  voyage,  we 
might  be  taken  by  some  American  privateer, 
and  consequently  obtain  our  freedom. 

In  the  course  of  six  or   eight  days,  we 

*  The  reader  may  have  some  curiosity  to  know  what  became 
of  the  "  Old  Jersey."  The  prisoners,  who  were  on  board  of 
her  at  the  conclusion  of  the  war  in  1783,  were  liberated.  The 
prison-ship  was  then  abandoned,  and  the  dread  of  contagion 
prevented  any  one  visiting  her.  Worms  soon  destroyed  her 
bottom,  and  she  afterwards  sunk.  It  is  said  that  her  planks 
were  covered  with  the  names  of  the  captives,  who  had  been 
immured  there  ;  a  long  and  melancholy  catalogue,  as  it  is 
supposed  that  a  greater  number  of  men  perished  on  board  of 
her,  than  history  informs  us  of  in  any  other  place  of  confine 
ment  in  the  same  period  of  time. 

In  the  year  1803,  the  bank  at  the  Wallabout  was  removed, 
as  preparatory  to  building  a  Navy  Yard.  A  vast  quantity  of 
bones  were  found,  which  were  carefully  collected  and  buried 
onder  the  direction  orthe  Tammany  Society  of  New  York. 


152     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

weighed  anchor,  and  hoisted  our  sail  for 
Jamaica.  I  placed  myself  upon  the  quarter 
deck,  to  prolong  my  view  of  my  beloved 
native  land,  which  I  was  leaving,  I  feared, 
forever.  The  winds  were  propitious,  and 
our  progress  was  rapid. 

We  had  in  company  a  small  schooner,  a 
Virginia  built  vessel,  and  a  rapid  sailer. 
Our  captain  occasionally  put  on  board  of 
ner  twelve  or  fifteen  men,  whom  he  gener 
ally  selected  from  among  those  who  had 
enlisted  as  soldiers,  as  they  had  for  the  most 
part  experienced  a  sea  service.  We  cap 
tured  a  small  French  vessel  during  the 
voyage,  after  we  had  come  in  sight  of  land 
and  were  running  down  to  leeward  of  it 
under  French  colors. 

We  suddenly  formed  a  plan  to  take  pos 
session  of  the  schooner,  of  which  we  com 
posed  the  greater  part  of  the  crew,  and  run 
into  some  Spanish  or  Portuguese  island. 
Our  ship  was  a  good  way  ahead  of  us ;  and 
as  she  was  a  very  dull  sailer,  we  thought 
there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  escaping 
from  her.  It  was  necessary  for  us  to  be 
prompt  and  decided  in  our  operations.  The 


OF    EBENEZER   *OX.  153 

crew  was  composed  of  various  nations,  and 
great  caution  must  be  used  in  our  consulta 
tions.  We  finally  agreed  upon  our  plan, 
and  were  about  putting  it  in  execution, 
when  the  courage  of  one  of  our  party  failed. 
He  was  a  Scotchman  ;  and,  from  the  manner 
in  which  he  expressed  his  fears  and  doubts, 
we  had  great  reason  to  apprehend  that  he 
had  or  would  betray  us.  During  this  time, 
we  were  running  to  the  leeward,  and,  in 
case  we  succeeded,  we  should  be  obliged  to 
beat  up  to  the  windward  again,  to  recover 
the  distance  we  had  lost,  and  be  exposed  to 
the  danger  of  meeting  with  English  cruisers 
under  the  land.  The  attempt  seemed  too 
desperate  to  risk,  and  we  reluctantly  aban 
doned  it,  although  it  was  our  last  and  forlorn 
hope. 

The  next  day  we  anchored  in  the  harbor  of 
Port  Royal,  where  we  lay  one  day,  and  sailed 
for  Kingston.  "  Kingston  is  on  the  south 
coast  of  the  island  of  Jamaica,  and  on  the 
north  side  of  a  beautiful  harbor,  in  which 
vessels  of  the  largest  burden  may  anchor  in 
safety.  It  is  built  on  a  plain  which  com 
mences  on  the  shore,  and  rises  with  a  gradual 


154  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

ascfcnt  to  the  foot  of  the  Liguanea  mountains, 
a  distance  of  about  six  miles.  Port  Royal 
stands  at  the  extremity  of  the  long  and  nar 
row  peninsula  which  hounds  Kingston  har 
bor  on  the  south,  about  ten  miles  south-west 
of  Kingston.  It  has  an  excellent  harbor,  in 
which  a  thousand  ships  could  anchor  with 
convenience.  It  contains  the  royal  navy- 
yard,  the  navy  hospital,  and  barracks  for 
a  regiment  of  soldiers.  The  fortifications 
are  remarkably  strong,  and  are  kept  in 
excellent  order."  Our  vessel  was  hauled 
up  to  a  wharf;  we  remained  on  board  till  a 
British  sergeant  came  and  took  our  names. 
The  captain  of  our  ship  then  informed  us, 
that  he  was  not  ignorant  of  the  design  we 
had  formed  of  taking  possession  of  the  ship 
during  the  voyage ;  and  although  it  was  in 
his  power  to  have  us  tried  for  our  lives  by  a 
court-martial  for  an  intended  mutiny,  yet 
he  was  actuated  by  feelings  of  compassion, 
and  was  more  desirous  of  doing  us  good 
than  evil,  and  was  willing  to  forgive  us. 
He  then  gave  us  some  salutary  advice 
respecting  our  future  conduct,  and  bid  us 
farewell.  This  magnanimous  conduct  on 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  155 

his  part  produced  in  us  a  heart-felt  expres 
sion  of  gratitude. 

We  then  landed,  and  with  the  sergeant  at 
the  head  marched  in  single  file  through 
Kingston  to  a  place  called  "  Harmony-hall," 
where  the  regiment  was  quartered,  and 
were  placed  under  the  care  of  a  drill  ser 
geant.  The  next  morning  we  were  ordered 
out  for  drill,  and  received  our  uniform  and 
.arms,  which  we  were  ordered  to  keep  bright 
and  in  good  order  for  service.  We  had  but 
little  employment,  excepting  being  drilled  to 
our  hearts7  content  by  the  sergeant,  to  make 
good  soldiers  of  us  for  the  service  of  his 
majesty,  king  George  the  Third.  The  life 
of  a  soldier  in  a  garrison  is  an  idle  one  at  the 
best;  and,  though  the  duties  are  not  laborious, 
there  is  a  monotony  in  them  which  is  ex 
tremely  irksome  to  the  active  mind  of  youth. 
But  we  could  not  reasonably  expect  to  spend 
our  lives  in  a  garrison,  if  such  a  thing  were 
desirable :  after  having  had  our  share  of  it2 
we  were  aware  that  we  should  be  called 
upon  to  perform  some  foreign  service,  we 
knew  not  where,  perhaps  to  bear  arms 
against  our  beloved  country.  With  the  fear 


156  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

of  this  in  view,  and  the  reluctance  we 
experienced  in  serving  what  we  still  con 
sidered  the  cause  of  our  enemy,  our  minds 
were  constantly  employed  in  devising  ways 
and  means  to  effect  our  escape. 

It  appeared  to  be  the  object  of  our  officers 
to  reconcile  us  to  the  service,  by  making  our 
duties  easy  and  agreeable.  We  were  often 
indulged  with  the  privilege  of  leaving  our 
quarters  to  visit  the  town  or  wander  about 
the  country  adjacent.  Harmony  Hall,  our 
quarters,  was  enclosed  by  a  high  fence,  hav 
ing  two  gates  in  front  and  one  in  the  rear, 
at  each  of  which  a  sentry  was  stationed. 
When  a  soldier  wished  to  leave  the  Hall,  it 
was  necessary  for  him  to  obtain  a  written 
order  called  a  "  pass/'  to  show  to  the  sentry 
when  he  went  out,  and  to  give  up  when  he 
returned.  Several  of  us  thought  it  a  practi 
cable  thing  to  get  on  board  some  of  the 
British  merchant  vessels  in  the  harbor, 
which  were  in  need  of  men,  and  whose  cap 
tains  would  not  hesitate  to  receive  and 
secrete  us,  as  they  were  frequently  deprived 
of  their  hands  by  impressment  on  board  of 
the  ships  of  war.  We  availed  ourselves  of 


OF    EBENEZER    FO^.  157 

every  opportunity  we  could  obtain  to  get 
information  respecting  English  vessels,  their 
time  of  sailing,  their  destined  ports,  &c. ; 
thinking  that  if  we  could  once  get  to  Eng 
land,  we  should  find  some  means  to  get 
thence  to  France,  whence  we  could  return 
to  our  own  country. 

In  our  rambles  about  the  town  and 
country,  we  visited  the  grog-shops  arid 
taverns,  places  where  sailors  generally  re 
sort,  and  had  got  considerably  acquainted 
with  the  keepers  of  these  establishments. 
Our  "passes"  were  signed  by  a  commis 
sioned  officer,  and  they  gave  us  permission 
to  carry  our  side-arms,  that  is,  a  bayonet, 
and  to  be  absent  two  hours  at  a  time. 

While  I  and  one  of  my  comrades  were 
wandering  about  the  town  one  day,  we 
stepped  into  a  house,  where  liquors  and 
refreshments  were  to  be  obtained.  We 
found  one  of  the  seats  occupied  by  an 
English  sailor,  to  whom  we,  rather  too 
frankly  for  prudence,  communicated  our 
intentions ;  or,  more  correctly  speaking,  gave 
him  some  cause  for  suspecting  our  designs 
from  the  questions  we  asked  him  respecting 
14 


158      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

the  probability  of  obtaining  employment  on 
board  of  some  merchant  vessel,  in  case  we 
could  get  released  from  our  present  engage 
ments.  The  sailor  was  inclined  to  be  very 
sociable,  and  discovered  no  objections  to 
drinking  freely  at  our  expense  ;  telling  us 
that  he  belonged  to  an  English  ship  that 
would  sail  in  a  few  days ;  that  his  captain 
was  in  want  of  hands ;  and  that,  at  his  inter 
cession,  he  would  undoubtedly  take  us  on 
board. 

He  appeared  so  friendly,  and  his  manners 
were  so  insinuating,  that  he  completely  won 
our  confidence.  He  asked  us  how  we  could 
obtain  liberty  to  leave  the  garrison,  and  to 
pass  in  and  out  when  we  pleased  ?  Taking 
my  "pass"  out  of  my  pocket,  I  showed  it 
to  him,  and  told  him  that  was  our  authority. 
He  took  it  into  his  hand,  apparently  with  an 
intention  of  reading  it ;  and,  after  looking  at 
it  for  some  time,  in  a  sort  of  careless  man 
ner,  he  put  it  into  his  pocket.  I  felt  a  little 
surprised  when  I  saw  him  do  it,  and  my 
companion  expressed  his  fears  by  whisper 
ing  into  my  ear,  "Blast  his  eyes,  he  means 
to  keep  the  pass." 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  159 

Having  allowed  the  fellow  to  get  posses 
sion  of  the  paper,  I  felt  myself  responsible 
for  it,  and  that  it  was  necessary  for  mes  to 
recover  it,  even  if  I  were  obliged  to  resort  to 
violent  measures.  I  therefore  said  to  him, 
"  My  friend,  I  must  have  that  paper,  as  we 
cannot  return  to  our  quarters  without  it.77 
He  replied,  "  You  had  better  be  peaceable 
about  it,  for  I  mean  to  see  your  commanding 
officer." 

Matters  had  now  come  to  a  crisis.  I  saw 
that  it  was  the  sailor's  object  to  inform 
against  us,  and  to  carry  the  "pass"  as  an 
evidence  of  our  conference  with  him.  I 
immediately  drew  rny  bayonet  from  its 
scabbard,  and  thrusting  it  against  his  side 
with  force  sufficient  to  inflict  a  slight  wound, 
put  my  hand  into  his  pocket  and  took  ou« 
the  "pass;"  and  then,  giving  him  a  blow 
upon  the  head  with  the  butt  end  of  my 
bayonet,  dropped  him  senseless  on  the  floor. 
The  noise  of  this  conflict  brought  the  land 
lord  into  the  room,  followed  by  his  wife, 
with  whom  a  previous  acquaintance  had 
made  me  somewhat  of  a  favorite.  The 
rascal  had  by  this  time  recovered  his  senses 
and  had  got  upon  his  legs,  and  began  to 


160      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

represent  the  matter  in  a  light  the  most 
favorable  to  himself. 

We  vehemently  contradicted  his  asser 
tions,  and  were  stoutly  backed  up  by  the 
landlady,  who  was  a  considerable  of  a  ter 
magant,  and  declared  that  "  the  sailor  was 
a  quarrelsome  fellow;  that  he  had  made 
a  difficulty  once  before  in  the  house ;  and 
that  her  husband  would  be  a  fool  if  he  did 
not  kick  him  out  of  doors." 

The  landlord,  to  prove  that  he  was 
"  compos  mentis,"  and  to  appease  the  wrath 
of  his  wife,  which  waxed  warm,  complied 
with  her  kind  wishes,  and  the  sailor  was, 
without  much  ceremony,  hurried  through 
the  door,  his  progress  not  a  little  accelerated 
by  a  brisk  application  of  the  landlord's  foot, 
which  sent  him  spinning  into  the  street  in 
the  manner  prescribed  by  the  good  woman. 
We  were  then  advised  by  our  friends  to 
return  to  our  quarters  as  quick  as  possible, 
lest  the  fellow  might  make  some  trouble  for 
us.  We  paid  our  bill,  and  gave  the  landlord 
many  thanks,  not  forgetting  the  landlady,  to 
whose  kind  interference  we  owed  our  fortu 
nate  escape.  This  circumstance  made  me 
more  cautious  in  future  of  communicating 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  161 

my  designs  to  strangers,  how  friendly  soever 
they  might  appear. 

About  this  time  I  was  unexpectedly 
released  from  the  duties  of  a  soldier.  One 
day  I  attracted  the  attention  of  an  officer, 
by  the  exercise  of  my  skill  as  a  barber,  in 
the  act  of  shaving  a  comrade;  and  was 
forthwith  promoted  to  the  high  station  of 
hairdresser  and  shaver  for  the  officers. 
This  was  very  agreeable  to  me,  as  it  gave 
me  an  opportunity  of  obtaining  much  infor 
mation  respecting  the  town  and  country 
around,  and  likewise  much  leisure  time,  and 
many  indulgences  not  granted  to  the  soldiers. 

I  was  assiduous  in  my  attentions  to  my 
superiors,  and  thereby  gained  their  confi 
dence,  and  could,  almost  whenever  I  wished, 
procure  a  pass  to  go  out  when  I  desired. 

But,  although  my  duties  were  light  and  I 
experienced  much  kind  treatment,  I  still  felt 
myself  in  a  state  of  servitude, — a  prisoner, 
as  it  were,  among  the  enemies  of  my  coun 
try, — in  a  thraldom,  from  which  I  was 
desirous  of  being  released.  I  was  willing  to 
incur  any  hazard  to  obtain  my  liberty,  and 
to  breathe  once  more  the  air  of  freedom 


162  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

To  visit  my  dear  native  land,  my  friends, 
and  the  scenes  of  my  childhood,  was  the 
prevailing  wish  of  my  mind ;  to  accomplish 
this  desire  I  was  willing  to  hazard  my  life. 

Many  difficulties  were  to  be  surmounted 
before  this  could  be  eifected.  Friends  were 
to  be  found,  in  whom  confidence  could  be 
placed. 

It  was  difficult  to  tell  whom  to  trust.  To 
impart  my  views  to  others  might  expose  me 
to  treachery;  and,  if  betrayed,  the  conse 
quences  would  be  fatal.  It  was  necessary 
to  proceed  with  great  caution  in  obtaining 
the  opinions  of  those  who  were  likely  to 
embark  in  the  undertaking  I  had  in  contem 
plation.  Several  must  be  found,  possess 
ing  similar  views  and  intentions,  alike  in 
courage  and  determination  to  carry  through 
whatever  plan  might  be  formed.  To  desert 
from  a  military  force,  in  an  enemy's  coun 
try,  and  that  an  island,  seemed  to  be  a 
desperate  undertaking,  with  little  prosr.  ect 
of  success.  But  I  was  resolved  upon  the 
attempt,  and  my  thoughts  were  continually 
employed  in  devising  ways  and  means  to 
effect  it.  I  gained  upon  the  confidence  of 
the  officers  daily,  and  was  indulged  with 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX,  163 

opportunities  of  leaving  the  garrison  when 
ever  I  chose. 

Availing  myself  of  this  privilege,  I  be 
came  acquainted  with  all  the  avenues  from 
the  town  as  far  as  Rock-fort,  which  was 
situated  at  the  distance  of  two  miles  from 
Kingston,  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  road. 
I  ascertained  that  it  was  a  custom  to  place 
a  number  of  sentries  on  the  left-hand  side  of 
the  road,  about  the  eighth  of  a  mile  from  the 
fort,  in  the  road  to  Rock-fort,  at  a  place 
called  the  "  Plum-tree." 

Deserters  who  were  ignorant  of  this  cir 
cumstance,  were  often  taken  up  by  the 
sentries,  and  brought  back  to  the  garrison. 
The  night  before  we  escaped,  five  soldiers 
were  caught  in  the  act  of  deserting,  and 
brought  back  in  the  morning  while  the  regi 
ment  were  on  parade.  The  poor  fellows 
looked  the  very  objects  of  despair  when  they 
were  delivered  up,  and  put  under  guard  to 
await  their  trial  by  a  court-martial. 

I  had  become  acquainted  with  five  sol 
diers,  who  had  been  released  from  military 
duty,  because  they  were  mechanics,  and 
could  make  themselves  useful  in  the  per 
formance  of  various  mechanical  services. 


164  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

They  enjoyed  considerable  liberty,  but 
did  not  possess  the  confidence  of  the  officers 
in  so  great  a  degree  as  I  did,  having  made 
myself  useful  and  agreeable  to  them  by 
personal  attention  in  contributing  to  their 
comfort  and  convenience.  My  knowledge 
of  the  town  and  its  environs  rendered  me  a 
valuable  coadjutor,  and  gave  me  more  con 
sequence  in  the  estimation  of  my  comrades, 
than  I  should  otherwise  have  had,  and  made 
me  a  sort  of  leader  in  the  enterprise,  though 
I  was  then  but  about  nineteen  years  of  age. 

We  had  frequent  opportunities  of  being 
together  to  digest  our  plan,  and  to  make 
arrangements  for  putting  it  into  execution. 
About  this  time  I  had  the  good  fortune  to 
obtain  a  high  degree  of  confidence,  and  to 
find  great  favor  in  the  sight  of  the  com 
manding  officer,  by  the  exercise  of  my  pro 
fessional  skill  in  making  him  wonderfully 
satisfied  with  himself  upon  the  occasion  of  a 
military  ball.  He  was  so  much  pleased 
with  the  improvement  I  made  in  his  personal 
appearance,  that  in  the  fulness  of  his  heart 
he  gave  me  a  "  pass  to  go  out  whenever  I 
chose  till  further  orders." 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  165 

This  was  a  great  privilege,  and  1  derived 
great  advantages  from  the  use  of  it. 

The  five  comrades,^  with  whom  I  had 
associated,  as  I  have  observed,  were  mechan 
ics,  two  of  whom  were  armorers  ;  and  they 
had  obtained  from  the  arsenal  two  pistols 
and  three  swords,  which  were  all  the  wea 
pons  we  had:  these,  together  with  some 
articles  of  clothing,  we  had  deposited  in  the 
hut  of  an  old  negro,  whom  we  had  bribed 
to  secrecy.  The  regiment,  stationed  at 
Rock-fort,  was  designated  as  "Lord  Mon 
tague's  men,"  or  the  American  Rangers,  and 
had  been  recruited  in  North  and  South 
Carolina.  Their  uniform  was  a  short  blue 
jacket  with  white  facings.  Having  made 
all  the  preparations  in  our  power,  we 
appointed  the  time  to  commence  the  At 
tempt. 

Our  plan  was,  to  travel  across  the  island, 
and  trust  to  circumstances,  which  might 
providentially  be  thrown  in  our  way,  to 
escape  to  the  island  of  Cuba.  Our  fears 
were  not  a  little  excited,  when  we  saw  the 

*  Their  names  were  as  follows :  John  Jones,  Abraham  Bas- 
sett,  James  Daly,  Joseph  Haynes.  The  name  of  the  map 
whom  we  lost  the  first  night  of  our  escape,  I  have  forgotten 


166      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

poor  fellows  brought  back  on  the  morning 
preceding  the  night  we  had  fixed  for  QUJ 
undertaking ;  especially  when  we  heard  the 
commanding  officer  declare,  "that,  what 
ever  might  be  their  fate,  the  next,  who 
should  undertake  to  desert,  should  be  hung.7i 

I  had  a  general  pass,  as  I  have  before 
observed,  for  myself  to  go  out  at  pleasure ; 
but  it  was  necessary  to  obtain  a  special  one 
for  my  companions,  and  this  duty  devolved 
on  me. 

In  the  afternoon,  soon  after  dinner,  I 
asked  the  commanding  officer  to  grant  me 
the  favor  of  a  pass  for  five  of  my  acquaint 
ance  to  go  out  to  spend  the  evening,  upon 
condition  of  returning  before  nine  o'clock. 
The  officer  hesitated  for  a  moment;  and 
then,  as  he  signed  the  pass,  said,' "I  believe 
I  can  trust  you;  but  remember  that  you 
must  not  come  back  without  them."  This 
I  readily  promised,  and  I  faithfully  fulfilled 
the  obligation. 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  167 


CHAPTER  XI. 

ABOUT  the  middle  of  the  week,  in  the 
month  of  July,  1782,  our  little  party  of  six, 
— five  Americans,  and  one  Irishman,  an  ac 
tive,  courageous  fellow, — left  the  town,  and 
proceeded  to  the  negro's  hut,  where  we 
received  our  weapons  and  clothing,  and 
some  little  store  of  provisions  which  we  had 
deposited.  That  afternoon  a  soldier  had 
been  buried  at  Rock-fort,  and  part  of  the 
regiment  had  been  out  to  attend  the  funeral. 
Seeing  these  soldiers  upon  their  return,  at  a 
distance,  and  fearing  that  our  bundles  might 
excite  their  suspicion,  we  concluded  to  sep 
arate  and  meet  again  as  soon  as  the  soldiers 
had  passed.  We  escaped  their  notice,  and 
fortunately  met  together  a  little  time  after, 
— all  but  one,  who  was  missing.  We  waited 
some  time,  and  looked  in  various  directions 
for  him,  without  success.  We  were  afraid 
to  remain  where  we  were  any  longer,  as  it 
was  now  past  eight  o'clock ;  and  we  knew 


'  68  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

f  we  did  not  return  by  nine,  a  party  would 
be  sent  in  search  of  us. 

The  man  whom  we  missed  was  some 
what  intoxicated,  and  the  probability  was 
that  he  had  lain  down  and  fallen  asleep  ;  or 
perhaps  his  courage  had  failed,  and  he  had 
given  up  the  undertaking,  and  might  have 
gone  back  and  given  information  against 
us.  We  were  satisfied  that  we  could  wait 
no  longer  for  him  without  exposing  our 
selves  to  great  danger,  and  therefore  con 
cluded  to  proceed  without  him.  What  was 
his  fate  I  have  never  been  able  to  ascertain. 

We  pushed  rapidly  forward  till  we  had 
got  about  a  mile  from  Kingston,  when  we 
entered  a  small  piece  of  woodland,  and 
divested  ourselves  of  our  uniform,  which 
we  had  worn  with  much  reluctance,  and 
had  never  ceased  to  regret  having  exposed 
ourselves  to  the  necessity  of  putting  on; 
clothed  ourselves  in  the  sailor  garments, 
which  we  had  taken  care  to  provide;  cut 
the  white  binding  from  our  hats ;  and  were^ 
soon  metamorphosed  into  much  better  sail 
ors,  than  we  had  ever  been  soldiers. 

Having  loaded  our  pistols,  we  again  pro- 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  169 

ceedecL  We  had  advanced  but  a  few  rods, 
when  we  met  a  sergeant,  belonging  to  a 
regiment  called  the  Liverpool  Blues,  who 
had  been  to  Rock-fort  to  see  some  of  his 
acquaintance,  and  was  then  upon  his  re 
turn.  It  was  near  the  time  for  stationing 
the  guard,  as  usual,  at  the  place  called  the 
"  Plum- tree. "  The  sergeant  hailed  us  with, 
"  Where  are  you  bound,  my  lads?"  We 
answered,  "  To  Rock-fort." 

He  replied,  "  I  have  just  come  from  there 
and  found  all  well :  how  goes  on  the  re 
cruiting  at  New  York?  and  what  is  the 
news?" 

A  ship  had  arrived  the  day  previous, 
from  New  York,  and  he  supposed  that  we 
were  some  of  the  recruits  that  she  had 
brought  over. 

We  perceived  his  mistake,  and  adapted 
our  answers  to  his  questions,  so  as  to  en 
courage  his  delusion.  We  told  him  that 
the  recruiting  went  on  bravely,  and  we 
were  going  to  join  our  regiment  at  Rock- 
fort. 

The  fellow  seemed  to  be  in  a  very  happy 
mood,  and  immediately  declared  his  inten- 
15 


170  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

tion  of  turning  back  to  show  us  the  Way  to 
the  fort. 

Our  situation  was  rendered  very  embar 
rassing  by  this  kind  offer ;  and  to  refuse  it, 
we  feared,  would  excite  suspicion.  Our 
generous  guide  thought  he  was  doing  us 
service,  when  he  was  leading  us  directly  to 
destruction ;  and  the  idea  of  killing  him, 
while  he  imagined  that  he  was  performing 
a  good  service  for  us,  was  very  unpleasant ; 
but  it  was  our  only  alternative.  In  a  few 
moments  the  deed  would  have  been  done ; 
self-preservation  made  it  necessary ;  but, 
fortunately  for  the  poor  fellow,  and  much  to 
our  satisfaction,  he  suddenly  recollected  that 
his  pass  required  him  to  be  back  to  Kings 
ton  by  nine  o'clock,  and,  bidding  us  good 
night,  and  telling  us  that  we  could  not  miss 
the  way,  he  left  us,  and  pursued  his  route 
to  Kingston  at  a  rapid  pace. 

We  thought  it  important  that  we  should 
get  as  far  from  Kingston  that  night  as  possi 
ble,  as  we  should  undoubtedly  be  pursued  in 
the  morning ;  and  the  sergeant,  from  whom 
we  had  just  parted,  would  give  information 
of  us,  as  soon  as  he  arrived  and  ascertained 
that  we  were  deserters.  The  danger,  to 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  171 

which  we  had  been  exposed  by  our  recent 
interview,  cast  a  gloom  over  our  spirits,  and 
gave  us  a  realizing  sense  of  the  difficulties 
and  hazards  with  which  we  must  contend. 
But  go  forward  we  must,  for  to  go  back 
would  be  death. 

We  proceeded  at  a  rapid  pace  for  about 
half  of  a  mile  farther,  when  we  met  with  an 
old  negro,  who  hailed  us,  saying,  "Where 
be  you  going,  massa  buckra  men  ?*  there  be 
a  plenty  of  soldiers  a  little  way  a-head; 
they  will  take  you  up,  and  put  you  on 
board  of  man-of-war."  We  told  him  that 
we  had  got  a  pass.  The  negro  replied, 
"  Dey  no  care  for  dat,  dey  put  you  on 
board  a  man-of-war."  He  mistook  us  for 
sailors  who  were  deserting  from  some  ship. 

I  had  become  acquainted  with  several 
negroes  in  Kingston,  and  always  found 
them  kind  and  willing  to  give  any  informa 
tion  that  was  in  their  power  to  furnish. 
They  appeared  to  feel  a  sort  of  sympathy 
for  the  soldiers  and  sailors;  seeing  some 
resemblance  between  their  own  degraded 
condition  and  that  of  the  miserable  military 

*"  Buckra  man"  was  the  common  name  among  the  Ne 
groes  for  a  white  man. 


172      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

and  naval  slaves  of  British  despotism. 
Whatever  might  be  the  cause,  I  always 
found  the  negroes  in  and  about  Kingston 
ready  to  give  every  facility  to  a  soldier  or 
sailor  who  wished  to  desert.  We  soon 
agreed  with  the  old  fellow  for  a  dollar  to 
guide  us  into  a  path  through  the  woods,  by 
following  which  we  should  avoid  the  guard 
at  the  "Plum-tree,"  in  whose  vicinity  we 
then  were.  I  had  reconnoitred  the  ground 
sufficiently,  previous  to  this,  to  be  aware  of 
the  necessity  of  taking  this  path,  and  knew 
about  where  it  was ;  but  we  were  sensible 
that  a  faithful  guide,  who  had  a  perfect 
knowledge  of  the  ground,  would  be  of  great 
service  to  us,  especially  in  the  night. 

After  we  had  entered  the  woods,  we  had 
no  fear  of  treachery  on  the  part  of  our 
guide,  as  his  life  was  in  our  hands.  The 
fate  that  awaited  him,  should  he  attempt  to 
jeopardize  our  safety,  was  clearly  under 
stood  by  him;  but,  the  earnest  and  sim 
ple  manner  in  which  he  declared  the  sin 
cerity  of  his  intentions  in  serving  us,  put 
at  rest  in  our  minds  all  doubts  of  his  fidelity. 
We  followed  our  guide  about  a  mile,  when 
he  told  us  that  we  had  got  past  the  guard, 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  173 

and,  giving  us  directions  as  to  our  future 
course,  he  left  us,  after  having  called  God 
to  witness  that  he  never  would  inform 
against  us.  We  had  no  reason  to  doubt 
that  he  faithfully  kept  his  promise. 

Our  anxiety  to  escape  pursuit  determined 
us  to  use  all  the  expedition  we  could  through 
the  night.  About  midnight,  we  came  to 
one  of  the  many  rivulets  with  which  Ja 
maica  abounds.  As  we  were  unable  to 
determine  what  its  width  or  depth  was  in 
the  darkness,  it  was  necessary  to  proceed 
with  caution.  The  tallest  of  our  party  was 
sent  forward  to  try  to  wade  across.  The 
rest  followed  in  single  file,  according  to  our 
respective  heights;  I,  being  the  shortest, 
brought  up  the  rear.  Holding  our  arms 
and  provisions  and  part  of  our  clothing 
above  our  heads,  we  soon  arrived  on  the 
opposite  shore.  When  I  was  in  the  middle 
of  the  river,  I  found  the  water  up  to  my 
chin,  and  was  fearful  at  one  time  that  I 
should  be  obliged  to  abandon  my  bundle, 
and  resort  to  swimming.  We  travelled  in 
our  wet  clothes  the  remainder  of  the  night, 
and,  towards  daylight,  we  looked  round  for 
15* 


174     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

some  retired  spot,  where  we  could  secrete 
ourselves  during  the  day,  as  we  considered 
that  it  would  expose  us  to  great  hazard,  if 
not  to  certain  detection,  to  travel  by  day 
light  at  so  little  distance  from  Kingston  as 
we  then  were.  We  soon  found  a  secluded 
spot  on  the  side  of  a  hill  thickly  set  with 
brushwood,  well  calculated  for  concealing 
us  from  the  view  of  any  who  might  pass 
that  way. 

In  the  course  of  the  forenoon,  we  saw 
from  our  place  of  concealment  a  number 
of  negroes  pass  by,  carrying  to  the  market 
at  Kingston  various  articles  of  country  pro 
duce  upon  their  heads  in  baskets.  We  had 
provided  for  our  sustenance  a  small  quan 
tity  of  bread  and  dried  herring,  sufficient  to 
last  three  days,  the  time  we  thought  requi 
site  to  travel  across  the  island ;  of  this  pro 
vision  we  eat  sparingly,  but  suffered  much 
for  want  of  water,  as  we  were  afraid  of 
being  seen  if  we  ventured  from  our  hiding- 
p^ace  till  night,  when  we  cautiously,  one  at 
a  time,  crept  down  to  the  foot  of  the  hill, 
and  quenched  our  thirst  from  a  small  rivu 
let. 

As  soon  as  it  was  dark  enough  to  prevent 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  175 

discovery,  we  left  our  place  of  concealment, 
and  proceeded  on  our  second  night's  journey. 

We  had  been  exposed  to  considerable 
danger  the  preceding  night  and  day,  and 
had  suffered  much  from  hunger,  and  more 
from  thirst ;  our  spirits  were  depressed,  and 
we  experienced  the  wearisomeness  that 
arises  from  a  want  of  sleep.  Gloomy  fore 
bodings  assailed  us ;  and  we  moved  on  in 
melancholy  silence.  After  having  travelled 
three  or  four  hours,  we  unexpectedly  found 
ourselves  near  a  hut,  and  were  alarmed  at 
hearing  a  negro  female  voice  exclaim, 
"  Here  come  a  whole  parcel  of  Buckra 
man."  We  immediately  started  from  the 
spot,  and  proceeded  with  all  practicable 
speed  till  we  had  travelled  three  or  four 
miles,  when  we  sat  down  to  rest,  and  to 
refresh  ourselves  with  some  of  our  bread 
and  dried  herring. 

After  we  had  rested  about  half  an  hour, 
we  renewed  our  journey  with  all  the  speed 
we  could  exercise;  and  proceeded  without 
interruption  till  day-light  approached,  when 
we  thought  it  necessary  to  find  a  place  for 
concealment  during  the  day.  We  entered 
the  woods  at  a  short  distance  from  the  road, 


176     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

where  we  spent  the  day,  partially  satisfying 
our  hunger  with  a  scanty  portion  of  bread 
and  herring,  and  some  berries,  which  we 
found,  of  various  kinds ;  and  amusing  our 
selves  with  the  relation  of  the  dangers  we 
had  passed  through,  and  speculations  upon 
the  nature  of  those  which  we  might  be 
called  upon  to  encounter.  The  day  passed 
without  any  alarm,  and  as  night  approached 
we  prepared  to  re-commence  our  journey. 
Soon  after  dark,  we  issued  from  the  woods, 
entered  upon  the  road,  and  proceeded  for 
several  hours  without  meeting  with  any 
thing  to  molest  or  make  us  afraid.  We  oc 
casionally  rested,  eat  sparingly  of  our  nearly 
exhausted  stores,  and  drank  water  when 
we  could  find  it,  and  travelled  without  in 
terruption  till  morning.  A  place  for  con 
cealment  during  the  day  was  again  selected  j 
and,  as  we  had  slept  but  little  since  we  left 
Kingston,  we  concluded  to  get  all  the  rest 
we  could,  and  spent  the  greater  part  of  the 
day  in  sleep,  each  one  of  us  in  succession 
keeping  watch  while  the  others  slept.  After 
several  hours'  rest,  we  found  ourselves  con 
siderably  refreshed ;  and  as  our  small  stock 
of  provisions  was  nearly  exhausted,  and  we 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  177 

nad  consumed  nearly  the  time  we  had  an 
ticipated  would  be  required  to  arrive  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  island,  we  concluded 
tli at  we  would  venture  to  travel  by  day 
light. 

We  took  the  precaution  to  divide  our 
party,  three  taking  one  side  of  the  road,  a 
little  in  advance,  and  two  on  the  other  side ; 
keeping  a  vigilant  look-out,  in  every  direc 
tion.  One  of  our  men  in  advance  gave 
notice,  some  time  in  the  forenoon,  that  he 
discovered  an  object  at  a  distance  appa 
rently  approaching.  We  thought  it  prudent 
to  retire  from  the  road  to  a  neighboring 
thicket,  till  we  could  ascertain  what  the 
object  was.  It  proved  to  be  a  gentleman  on 
horseback,  who,  by  his  dress,  appeared  to 
be  an  officer  of  high  rank,  followed  by  a 
servant. 

The  officer  wore  a  large,  gold-laced, 
three-cornered  hat,  and  was  richly  dressed  : 
both  he  and  his  servant  were  well  armed. 
As  soon  as  they  had  passed  and  were  out 
of  sight,  we  left  our  retreat  with  the  inten 
tion  of  proceeding ;  but,  finding  ourselves  in 
need  of  more  rest,  we  penetrated  farther 
into  the  woods  to  find  a  place  of  repose. 


178  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

Our  strength  began  to  fail  for  want  of 
food,  and  we  found  it  necessary  to  ^ake 
more  frequent  opportunities  for  rest  and 
sleep.  We  gathered  a  few  berries,  and, 
having  enjoyed  a  few  hours  of  uninterrupted 
sleep,  we  felt  refreshed,  and  returned  to  the 
road  to  pursue  our  journey.  We  travelled 
without  interruption  till  about  three  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  and,  while  ascending  a 
hill,  we  were  alarmed  by  hearing  the  sound 
of  voices.  We  stopped,  and  collected  to 
gether  to  consult  upon  what  course  to 
adopt.  In  a  few  moments,  we  saw  coming 
over  the  hill  three  stout  negroes,  armed 
with  muskets,  which  they  immediately  pre 
sented  to  us,  and  ordered  us  to  stop. 

Our  arms,  as  I  have  formerly  observed, 
consisted  of  two  pistols  and  three  swords ; 
upon  the  pistols  we  could  place  but  little 
dependence,  as  they  were  not  in  good  order; 
and  the  swords  were  concealed  under  our 
clothes ;  to  attempt  to  draw  them  out  would 
have  caused  the  negroes  instantly  to  fire 
upon  us. 

They  were  about  ten  rods  before  us,  and 
stood  in  the  attitude  of  taking  a  deliberate 
aim  at  us.  To  run  would  be  certain  death 


OF    EBENEZEti    FOX.  179 

to  some  of  us ;  we  therefore  saw  no  alterna 
tive  but  to  advance.  One  of  our  number,  a 
man  named  Jones,  a  tall,  powerful  fellow, 
took  a  paper  from  his  pocket,  and,  holding 
it  up  before  him,  advanced,  with  great  appa 
rent  confidence  in  his  manner,  and  the  rest 
of  us  imitated  his  example.  As  we  ap 
proached,  Jones  held  out  the  paper  to  one 
of  them,  telling  him  that  it  was  our  pass, 
giving  us  authority  to  travel  across  the 
island.  The  negroes,  as  we  very  well 
knew,  were  unable  to  read ;  it  was  therefore 
immaterial  what  was  written  upon  the 
paper, — I  believe  it  was  an  old  letter, — as 
manuscript  or  print  was  entirely  beyond 
their  comprehension.  While  we  were  ad 
vancing,  we  had  time  to  confer  with  each 
other ;  and  the  circumstances  of  the  moment, 
the  critical  situation  in  which  we  were 
placed,  naturally  led  our  minds  to  one  con 
clusion,  to  obtain  the  consent  of  the  negroes 
that  we  might  pursue  our  journey ;  but  if 
they  opposed  our  progress,  to  resort  to  vio 
lence,  if  we  perished  in  the  attempt. 

There  was  something  very  exciting  to 
our  feelings  in  marching  up  to  the  muzzles 
of  these  fellows'  guns  •  to  have  our  progress 


180      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

interrupted  when  we  were,  as  we  supposed, 
so  near  the  end  of  our  journey.  Our  suffer 
ings  had  made  us  somewhat  savage  in  OUK 
feelings ;  and  we  marched  up  to  them  with 
that  determination  of  purpose  which  despe 
rate  men  have  resolved  upon,  when  life,  lib 
erty,  and  everything  they  value  is  at  stake ; 
— all  depended  upon  prompt  and  decisive 
action. 

This  was  a  fearful  moment.  The  ne 
groes  stood  in  a  row,  their  muskets  still 
presented,  but  their  attention  was  princi 
pally  directed  to  the  paper  which  Jones 
held  before  them ;  while  our  eyes  were  con 
stantly  fixed  upon  them,  anxiously  watch 
ing  their  motions,  and  designing  to  disarm 
them  as  soon  as  a  favorable  opportunity 
should  be  offered. 

The  negroes  were  large  and  powerful 
men,  while  we,  though  we  outnumbered 
them,  were  worn  down  by  our  long  march, 
and  enfeebled  by  hunger.  In  physical 
power  we  were  greatly  their  inferiors.  But 
the  desperate  circumstances  in  which  we 
were  placed  inspired  us  with  uncommon 
courage,  and  gave  us  an  unnatural  degree 
of  strength. 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  181 

We  advanced  steadily  forward,  shoulder 
to  shoulder,  till  the  breasts  of  three  of  us 
were  within  a  few  inches  of  the  muzzles  of 
their  guns.  Jones  reached  forward  and 
handed  the  paper  to  one  of  the  negroes.  He 
took  it,  and  having  turned  it  round  several 
timeSj  and  examined  both  sides,  and  finding 
himself  not  much  the  wiser  for  it,  shook  his 
head  and  said,  "  We  must  stop  you.'7  The 
expression  of  his  countenance,  the  doubts 
which  were  manifested  in  his  manner  of 
receiving  the  paper,  convinced  us,  that  all 
hope  of  deceiving  or  conciliating  them  was 
at  an  end. 

Their  muskets  were  still  presented,  their 
fingers  upon  the  triggers.  An  awful  pause 
of  a  moment  ensued,  when  we  made  a  sud 
den  and  desperate  spring  forward,  and 
seized  their  muskets ;  our  attack  was  so  un 
expected,  that  we  wrenched  them  from  their 
hands  before  they  were  aware  of  our  inten 
tion.  The  negro,  whom  I  attacked,  fired 
just  as  I  seized  his  gun,  but  I  had  fortu 
nately  turned  the  direction  of  it,  and  the 
ball  inflicted  a  slight  wound  upon  my  side, 
the  'scar  of  which  remains  to  this  day. 
16 


182  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

This  was  the  only  gun  that  was  discharged 
during  this  dreadful  encounter. 

As  soon  as  it  was  in  my  possession,  I 
exercised  all  my  strength,  more  than  I 
thought  I  possessed,  and  gave  him  a  tre 
mendous  blow  over  the  head  with  the 
breech,  which  brought  him  to  the  ground, 
from  which  he  never  rose. 

I  had  no  sooner  accomplished  my  work, 
when  I  found  my  companions  had  been 
equally  active,  and  had  despatched  the 
other  two  negroes  in  the  same  space  of  time. 
None  of  our  party  received  any  injury  but 
myself,  and  my  wound  I  considered  as  tri 
fling. 

The  report  of  the  gun  we  were  fearful 
would  alarm  some  of  our  enemies'  com 
rades,  who  might  be  in  the  vicinity,  and 
bring  them  to  the  spot.  We  accordingly 
dragged  the  bodies  to  a  considerable  dis 
tance  into  the  woods,  where  we  buried  them 
under  a  quantity  of  leaves  and  brush.  In 
their  pockets  we  found  a  few  biscuit,  which 
were  very  acceptable  to  us  in  our  famished 
condition. 

The  best  gun  was  selected,  as  we  did  not 
think  it  necessary  to  burden  ourselves  with 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  183 

the  others,  as  they  had  been  injured  in  the 
conflict.  We  took  what  ammunition  we 
thought  necessary,  and  then  sought  a  place 
of  rest  for  the  remainder  of  the  day. 

The  negroes  whom  we  had  encountered, 
belonged  to  a  class  called  "Cudjoe  men," 
who  were  free,  in  consequence  of  some  ser 
vices,  which  their  ancestors,  the  Maroons, 
agreed  to  render  to  the  government;*  and 
were  permitted  to  inhabit  the  mountains 
and  the  northern  part  of  the  island.  They 
were  encouraged  to  exercise  their  vigilance 
by  the  promise  of  receiving  a  certain  sum 
of  money  for  every  fugitive  slave  they  re 
stored  to  his  master,  or  soldier  whom  they 
should  arrest  as  a  deserter.  We  had  been 
apprized  of  the  existence  of  these  beings 
before  we  left  Kingston,  and  were  in  con 
stant  fear  of  meeting  with  some  of  them. 
Their  huts  were  scattered  along  the  three 
roads  from  Kingston,  viz.,  Rock-fort  road, 
the  County  road,  and  the  Spanish-town 
road.  We  avoided  as  much  as  possible  all 
of  these  roads,  and  travelled  circuitous 
paths  in  the  woods ;  and,  having  no  guide 

*  See  the  Appendix  at  the  end  of  the  book  for  an  account 
of  the  "  Cudjoe-men." 


184  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

and  an  imperfect  compass,  we  wandered  a 
great  deal  out  of  the  direct  way ;  and  much 
of  the  time  travelled  considerable  distances 
without  making  any  advancement. 

The  direct  distance  across  the  island  is 
about  forty  or  fifty  miles,  which  we  could 
have  travelled  with  ease  in  two  days  ;*  but, 

*  "  The  island  of  Jamaica  lies  about  thirty  leagues  south 
of  Cuba.  A  range  of  lofty  mountains,  called  the  Blue  Moun 
tains,  runs  through  the  whole  island  from  east  to  west,  in 
some  places  seven  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 
On  the  north  side  of  the  island  the  land  rises  from  the  shore  in 
high  swells,  which  are  remarkable  for  their  beauty,  being  all 
of  gentle  acclivity,  and  commonly  separated  from  each  other 
by  spacious  vales  and  romantic  rivulets.  Towards  the  inte 
rior,  the  land  becomes  more  elevated,  and  is  clothed  with 
almost  boundless  forests  ;  and,  in  the  centre  of  the  island,  it 
rises  into  lofty  mountains,  whose  heads  are  lost  in  the  clouds. 
The  southern  front  of  the  main  ridge  of  the  Blue  Mountains 
is  generally  rough  and  craggy ;  but  on  the  south  side  are 
several  lower  ridges,  running  parallel  with  the  principal  one, 
the  summits  of  which  are  more  round  and  smooth ;  and,  at 
the  foot  of  the  lowest  ridge  lie  vast  plains  or  savannas, 
bounded  only  by  the  ocean,  and  displaying  all  the  pride  of 
the  richest  cultivation." 

The  heights,  called  the  Liguanea  mountains,  are  within  six 
miles  of  Kingston,  and  I  understand  that  the  British  regi 
ments,  at  prosent  or  lately  stationed  on  the  island  of  Jamaica, 
have  formed  an  encampment  on  them,  where  they  are  quar 
tered  when  not  on  other  duty.  Favored  with  a  salubrious 
atmosphere,  these  mountains  are  not  only  healthy,  but  capa 
ble  no  doubt  of  being  strongly  fortified  ;  yet  an  intelligent 
captain  of  a  vessel,  who  has  recently  been  on  the  island,  in- 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  185 

from  the  cautious  manner  we  proceeded 
and  the  irregular  course  we  pursued,  we 
were  nearly  five  days  in  accomplishing  our 
undertaking.  Considering  our  ignorance  of 
the  interior  parts  of  the  island,  it  has  ever 
since  been  a  matter  of  surprise  to  me  that 
we  succeeded  in  getting  across  the  island ; 
and  that  we  did  not  perish  in  the  woods. 

Had  we  travelled  upon  either  of  the 
before  named  roads,  instead  of  threading 
our  way  through  the  woods,  we  should 

forms  me  that  great  numbers  of  the  soldiers  are  injudiciously 
granted  leave  daily  of  visiting  the  populous  city  of  Kingston, 
on  condition  of  returning  before  night.  The  sudden  change 
of  temperature,  from  the  close  and  heated  atmosphere  and 
parching  sunbeams  on  the  plains,  to  the  bracing  and  chilling 
evening  air  of  the  mountains,  the  one  causing  immoderate 
perspiration  and  a  feverish  state  of  the  blood,  and  the  other 
hastily  and  violently  closing  the  pores  of  the  bodies  of  the 
soldiery  on  their  return  to  quarters,  many  of  them  half-intoxi 
cated,  lays  the  foundation  or  is  the  immediate  cause  of  more 
sickness  and  death  than  all  other  causes  put  together. 
(  He  says  the  British  officers  have  contemplated  a  partial 
prohibition  of  intercourse  between  .the  camp  and  city,  but 
have  met  with  discontent  from  the  soldiers,  who  are  unwilling 
to  be  deprived  of  the  indulgence,  however  painful  or  fatal  to 
them  in  its  consequences. 

The  population  of  the  island  of  Jamaica,  m  1782,  was  about 
30,000  whites,  10,000  freed  negroes  or  mulattoes,  1,40$  frea 
maroons,  and  200,000  negro  slaves. 

16* 


186'  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

have  been  overtaken  by  the  parties  of  sol 
diers,  who  were  sent  in  pursuit  of  us.  I  re 
ceived  information,  several  years  after  our 
escape,  of  the  exertions  that  were  used  to 
overtake  us  and  carry  us  back  to  Kingston. 
A  young  man,  by  the  name  of  Hunt,  was 
carried  into  Kingston,  as  a  prisoner,  taken 
by  a  British  vessel,  the  day  after  our  escape. 
Previous  to  his  sailing  from  Boston,  he  had 
heard  that  I  was  in  Kingston;  and  when 
made  a  prisoner,  he  hoped  to  obtain  some 
assistance  from  me  in  his  captivity,  as  we 
had  been  formerly  acquainted.  He  made 
inquiries  of  the  sergeant  of  the  guard,  placed 
over  him,  respecting  me.  The  sergeant 
replied,  that  "  Fox  was  fool  enough  to  run 
off  last  night,  with  five  others ;  he  had  no 
military  duty  to  perform ;  all  he  had  to  do 
was  to  shave  and  dress  the  officers,  and  he 
spent  most  of  the  time  in  walking  about  the 
streets.  I  suppose  they  think  they  will 
show  us  a  Yankee  trick ;  but  they  will 
find  themselves  mistaken,  for  there  are  three 
parties  out  after  them,  one  on  each  road, 
and  they  had  orders  to  bring  them  back 
before  night,  dead  or  alive."  It  seems  by 
this  account  that  we  must  have  been  taken, 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  187 

had  we  not  pursued  our  journey  in  the 
woods  instead  of  the  road. 

To  return  to  my  narrative  :  We  lay  down 
in  the  woods,  languid  and  exhausted,  after 
the  excitement  and  fatigue  from  our  con 
test  with  the  negroes,  and  slept  soundly  for 
some  time,  when  I  suddenly  awoke,  and 
saw  at  a  little  distance  from  me  the  head 
of  a  monstrous  serpent,  raised  several  feet 
from  the  ground,  and  gazing  earnestly  upon 
us,  with  his  mouth  frightfully  distended.  I 
was  so  much  alarmed  that,  at  first,  I  imag 
ined  it  to  be  the  "old  serpent"  himself,  and 
immediately  awakened  my  companions. 
But  I  believe  the  serpent  was  more  alarmed 
than  we  were,  for  he  darted  oif  among  the 
bushes  with  so  much  rapidity  that  I  could 
not  ascertain  his  length,  but  was  satisfied 
that  the  circumference  of  his  body  was  of 
the  size  of  a  man's. 

As  it  was  now  nearly  dark,  we  thought 
we  would  venture  again  upon  our  journey. 
Having  loaded  our  musket,  the  spoils  of  our 
victory,  we  entered  the  road,  and,  having 
looked  around  with  great  caution,  and  find 
ing  no  obstacles  in  the  way  to  excite  any 
apprehension,  we  started  forward.  We 


188  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

knew  not  for  a  certainty  where  we  were; 
but  were  satisfied,  from  the  time  we  had 
consumed  in  our  journey,  that  we  could  not 
be  at  a  great  distance  from  the  northern 
side  of  the  island. 


OF  EBENEZER  FOX.          189 


CHAPTER  XII. 

WE  travelled  all  night,  occasionally  stop 
ping  to  rest,  and  refresh  ourselves  with  some 
of  the  hard  biscuit,  which  we  had  found  in 
the  pockets  of  the  negroes,  and  a  draught  of 
water  from  the  springs  by  the  road-side. 

As  daylight  approached,  we  found  our 
selves  on  the  summit  of  a  hill,  and  in  sight 
of  the  ocean.  I  doubt  whether  Columbus 
and  his  crew  experienced  more  heart-felt 
joy  when  they  saw  the  new  world,  than  our 
little  party  did  when  we  discovered  the  sea. 
We  could  hardly  refrain  from  uttering  a 
loud  exclamation  of  joy.  Here  was  an  end 
to  our  wanderings,  our  fatigue,  and  suffer 
ings.  We  gazed  upon  the  watery  expanse 
with  feelings  of  unutterable  delight,  upon 
whose  surface  we  were  to  be  wafted  from 
the  shores  of  captivity. 

After  we  had  remained  as  long  as  we 
thought  prudent  upon  the  eminence,  we 
retired  to  the  woods,  for  concealment  dm  ing 


190      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

the  day.  We  needed  rest,  and  slept  the 
greater  part  of  the  day. 

We  ventured  out  several  times  in  the 
course  of  the  day  to  take  a  peep  abroad,  but 
with  great  care  that  we  should  not  be  seen. 
We  saw  a  number  of  negroes  moving  about 
in  various  directions,  but  were  not  discov 
ered  by  any  of  them. 

Our  plan  of  operations  for  the  future  was 
the  subject  of  much  discussion;  but  we 
arrived  at  no  definite  conclusion,  excepting 
to  avail  ourselves  of  any  opportunity  that 
should  be  offered  to  leave  the  island. 

We  had  supposed,  although  perhaps  we 
had  no  good  reason  for  it,  that  we  might 
find  some  merchant  vessel  on  the  coast,  in 
which  we  might  be  received  as  sailors ;  as  it 
was  difficult  to  obtain  men,  and  their  wages 
were  high. 

Before  sunset,  we  left  our  hiding  place, 
after  eating  the  remainder  of  our  bread,  and 
proceeded  cautiously  towards  the  shore, 
keeping  ourselves  concealed  as  much  as 
possible  behind  the  bushes. 

We  saw  a  number  of  huts,  scattered  along 
the  shore,  mostly  separate,  some  in  small 
clusters.  Part  of  the  time  during  the  day,  a 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  191 

fog  had  prevailed,  which  now  cleared  away, 
and  our  prospect  was  uninterrupted.  The 
island  of  Cuba  could  just  be  seen  in  the 
horizon,  at  the  distance  of  thirty  leagues ; 
between  that  and  us  lay  the  ocean,  smooth 
and  unruffled,  and  not  a  sail  to  whiten  its 
surface. 

Dejected  and  melancholy,  we  again  sought 
our  place  of  concealment,  to  reflect  upon 
our  situation,  and  form  some  determination 
respecting  future  operations.  To  remain 
where  we  were  long,  without  starving  or 
being  detected,  was  impossible ;  but  how  to 
get  away  was  the  problem  to  be  solved. 
Undetermined  what  to  do,  we  left  our  retreat 
again,  and  the  first  object  that  met  our 
view  upon  the  water  was  a  sail-boat  direct 
ing  her  course  to  the  shore  near  where  we 
were. 

Here  was  a  means  of  escape  that  Provi 
dence  had  thrown  in  our  way.  Our  previous 
despair  was  now  changed  into  hope,  and, 
with  spirits  suddenly  elated,  we  retreated  to 
the  bushes  to  come  to  some  immediate  deci 
sion. 

We  resolved  ourselves  into  a  committee, 
appointed  a  moderator,  and  proceeded  to 


192  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

business.  The  question  to  be  discussed 
was,  whether  we  should  attempt  to  make  a 
prize  of  the  boat,  and  escape  to  Cuba. 
Without  spending  much  time,  as  we  had 
none  to  spare,  to  discuss  the  question,  or  to 
hear  speeches  for,  much  less  against  it,  we 
put  it  to  vote,  and  carried  it  unanimously. 

The  wind  was  blowing  from  the  shore, 
and  the  boat  was  consequently  beating  in 
against  the  wind.  This  was  a  favorable 
circumstance  for  us,  if  we  could  get  posses 
sion  of  the  boat.  The  undertaking  was 
fraught  with  difficulty  and  danger,  but  it 
was  our  only  chance  for  escape. 

We  left  our  council  place,  and  crept  cau 
tiously  down  to  the  shore,  keeping  concealed 
as  much  as  possible  behind  the  bushes,  till 
we  arrived  near  to  the  point,  at  which  we 
thought  the  boat  was  steering.  As  she  was 
beating  against  the  wind,  we  concluded,  if 
the  man  at  the  helm  could  be  brought  down, 
the  boat  would  lurT,  which  would  bring  her 
near  the  shore,  when  we  were  immediately 
to  spring  on  board.  Jones,  being  the  best 
marksman,  took  the  musket,  and  seeing  that 
it  was  well  loaded  and  primed,  crept  as  close 
to  the  edge  of  the  shore  as  he  could  without 


OF    EBENEZER    tfOX.  193 

being  discovered  by  the  crew,  and  lay  down, 
to  wait  for  a  good  opportunity  to  fire  at  the 
man  at  the  helm.  The  rest  of  us  kept  as 
near  to  him  as  possible. 

Every  circumstance  seemed  to  favor  our 
design.  The  negroes  were  all  in  their  huts, 
and  everything  around  was  quiet  and  still. 

The  boat  soon  approached  near  enough 
for  Jones  to  take  a  sure  aim;  and  we  scarcely 
breathed  as  we  lay  extended  on  the  ground, 
waiting  for  him  to  perform  the  duty  assigned 
him. 

In  a  few  moments,  bang  went  the  gun, 
and  down  went  the  negro  from  the  helm 
into  the  bottom  of  the  boat ;  and,  as  we  had 
anticipated,  the  helm  being  abandoned,  the 
boat  luffed  up  in  the  wind  and  was  brought 
close  to  the  shore,  which  was  bold,  and  the 
water  deep  enough  to  float  her.  The  instant 
the  gun  was  fired,  we  were  upon  our  feet, 
and  in  the  next  moment  up  to  our  waists  in 
the  water  alongside  of  the  boat. 

No  time  was  lost  in  shoving  her  about, 

and  getting  her  bows  from  the  land.     There 

was  a  fresh  breeze  from  the  shore  ;  the  sails 

filled ;  and  the  boat  was  soon  under  a  brisk 

17 


194      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

headway.  I  remained  in  the  water  the 
last,  and,  as  I  attempted  to  get  on  board, 
my  hands  slipped  from  my  hold  on  the  gun 
wale,  and  I  fell  into  the  water.  I  heard  an 
exclamation,  " Good  God!  Fox  is  lost!" 
from  one  of  our  party;  but  as  the  boat 
swept  by  me,  I  caught  with  my  middle 
ringer  in  the  noose  of  a  rope  .that  hung  over 
the  stern,  and  was  seized  by  the  cape  of  my 
jacket  and  drawn  into  the  boat  by  the 
powerful  arm  of  Jones,  who  was  managing 
the  helm.  All  that  I  have  described  was 
apparently  the  work  of  a  moment.  Never 
did  men  use  greater  exertions  than  we  did 
at  this  time. 

The  report  of  Jones'  gun  alarmed  the 
negroes,  and  brought  them  from  their  huts 
in  all  directions  down  to  the  shore,  armed 
with  muskets  and  clubs,  and  full  of  rage 
and  fury.  They  waded  out  after  us,  up  to 
their  chins  in  the  water;  and  fired  volley 
after  volley,  as  fast  as  they  could  load. 
The  bullets  fell  thickly  around  us,  but 
fortunately  none  of  us  were  injured.  Our 
progress  was  so  rapid,  that  we  were  soon 
out  of  reach  of  their  shot ;  but,  as  soon  as 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  195 

we  could  find  time,  we  loaded  our  gun  and 
gave  one  parting  salute. 

Our  attention  was  next  directed  to  the 
disposal  of  the  crew  of  the  boat  we  had 
captured,  consisting  of  three  men  and  a  hoy. 
As  soon  as  we  sprang  into  the  boat,  they 
fled  with  terror  and  amazement  into  a  sort 
of  cabin  in  the  bow,  where  they  still  re 
mained. 

It  was  no  wonder  that  they  were  fright 
ened,  attacked  so  suddenly  by  an  enemy, 
who,  as  it  seemed  to  them,  had  arisen  all  at 
once  from  the  bowels  of  the  earth  or  the 
depths  of  the  ocean. 

Whether  the  head  of  the  negro  at  the 
helm  was  bullet-proof,  or  whether  the  ball 
approached  so  near  to  it  as  to  frighten  him 
into  insensibility,  we  never  knew;  but  we 
found  him  prostrate  in  the  bottom  of  the 
boat,  when  we  entered  it,  apparently  dead ; 
but,  to  our  gratification,  we  soon  found  that 
he  was  alive,  and  not  a  curl  of  his  wool  dis 
composed. 

He  was  soon  upon  his  knees,  supplicating 
mercy,  in  which  attitude  and  tone  he  was 
followed  by  the  rest  of  the  crew  as  we  called 


196     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

them  from  their  hiding  place.  Had  we 
been  disposed  to  do  an  unjust  action,  we 
had  an  opportunity  of  realizing  a  consider 
able  sum  of  money,  by  carrying  them  to 
Cuba  and  selling  them  for  slaves. 

The  temptation  was  great  to  men  destitute 
of  funds  as  we  were;  but  our  moral  sense 
overcame  the  temptation,  and  we  gave  them 
their  choice  to  proceed  with  us  on  our 
voyage,  or  expose  themselves  to  the  hazard 
of  drowning  by  attempting  to  swim  ashore. 
They  accepted  the  latter  proposition  with 
muclpL  gratitude,  and  were  soon  swimming 
lustily  for  the  shore,  from  which  we  were  at 
the  distance  of  more  than  a  mile,  where  we 
saw  them  all  safely  arrive. 

We  felt  some  anxiety  respecting  the 
ability  of  the  boy  to  swim  so  far ;  but,  as  he 
was  desirous  of  going  with  them,  two  of  our 
men  took  him  by  his  arms  and  legs,  and 
gave  him  a  regular  yo-hoi-ho  heave;  and 
we  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  little 
fellow  shaking  the  water  from  his  curly  pate 
upon  the  shore,  before  his  companions  had 
landed. 

The  negroes   collected  around  them  ia 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  197 

great  numbers  after  they  landed,  probably 
to  hear  their  account  of  the  transaction ;  and 
to  obtain  information  concerning  our  inten 
tions  and  destination. 

We  felt  animated  by  our  success.  We 
found  the  boat  in  good  order ;  and,  with  a 
fresh  breeze,  we  made  rapid  progress.  We 
found  a  plenty  of  provisions  in  the  boat, 
with  which,  for  the  first  time  for  five  days, 
we  abundantly  satisfied  our  hunger. 

It  was  now  nearly  dark,  and  we  had  got 
a  considerable  distance  from  the  shore  ;  but 
we  continued  to  watch  the  movements  of 
the  negroes  with  anxiety,  lest  they  should 
pursue  us.  After  the  negroes  had  held  a 
short  consultation  together,  we  saw  them  all 
start  off  with  great  rapidity  towards  a  point 
of  land,  under  which  we  thought  we  could 
see  something  lying,  that  had  the  appear 
ance  of  a  vessel.  As  the  negroes  ran  ii:  that 
direction,  we  had  no  doubt  that  they  had 
some  plan  in  contemplation  in  relation  to 
our  capture.  Our  fears  and  conjectures 
were  soon  reduced  to  a  matter  of  fact;  for 
we  had  proceeded  but  a  little  distance  far 
ther,  when  we  came  in  plain  sight  of  a 


198  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

schooner  at  anchor.  We  could  see  the 
negroes  rush  on  board  of  her,  and  could  just 
discern,  or  our  fears  caused  us  to  imagine  it, 
the  uplifted  axe,  which  cut  away  the  cable 
and  liberated  her  from  her  moorings.  The 
schooner  was  soon  under  weigh,  and  sailing 
in  a  direction  to  cut  us  off;  but  we  trusted 
that  the  approaching  darkness  would  in  a 
short  time  conceal  us  from  the  sight  of  our 
pursuers.  As  the  schooner  was  a  large 
object,  compared  with  our  little  boat,  we. 
could  see  her  long  after  we  were  invisible  to 
them.  After  being  satisfied  of  the  course 
the  schooner  was  taking,  we  thought  the 
best  way  to  avoid  her  would  be  to  put 
about  directly  for  Jamaica. 

We  sailed  in  this  direction  till  we  sup 
posed  that  our  enemy  had  got  considerably 
past  the  course  for  us  to  pursue,  when  we 
again  put  about,  and  steered  as  directly  as 
we  were  able  for  Cuba.  The  sails  of  our 
boat  consisted  of  a  small  jib,  and  a  sort  of  a 
square  sail;  and,  the  breeze  being  quite 
fresh,  they  were  well  filled,  and  our  progress 
was  rapid. 

In  the  morning,  when  from  the  hill  we 
discovered  what  we  supposed  to  be  Cuba, 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  199 

we  ascertained  its  bearing  from  Jamaica,  by 
our  little  compass ;  and  now  directed  our 
course  to  the  point,  where  we  should  find  a 
nlace  of  safety. 

Once,  during  the  night,  we  were  alarmed 
by  a  noise  like  the  sound  of  voices,  and 
thought  that  the  schooner  was  near  us.  We 
saw  her,  or  imagined  so ;  but  could  not 
determine  with  certainty  whether  it  was  a 
reality  or  the  result  of  our  excited  imagina 
tions. 

We  sailed  without  interruption  through 
the  night,  and,  from  the  rapidity  with  which 
we  had  passed  through  the  water,  we  con 
cluded  we  could  not  be  a  great  distance 
from  the  land.  As  soon  as  daylight  ap 
proached  we  espied  the  shore,  and  lost  no 
time  in  making  for  it.  Shortly  after,  we 
saw,  at  a  considerable  distance,  the  schooner, 
apparently  steering  for  Jamaica.  They  dis 
covered  us,  and  altered  their  course  directly 
for  us.  Their  approach,  however,  excited 
no  alarm  in  our  minds  now,  for  we  were 
sure  that  we  could  run  our  boat  on  shore 
before  they  could  come  up  with  us.  Their 
kind  intentions  were  manifested  in  the  com 
pliment  of  a  few  salutes  from  a  swivel, 


200  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

which  proved  as  harmless  as  the  courtesy 
we  endeavored  to  show  them  by  half  a 
dozen  salutes  from  the  musket  which  had 
previously  done  us  more  faithful  service. 
The  schooner  soon  gave  up  the  chase,  "  and 
left  us  alone  in  our  glory." 

As  we  approached  the  shore,  we  saw  six 
or  eight  men  running  down  towards  us,  and 
making  signs  for  us  to  keep  off,  and  to  go 
round  a  point  of  land  to  the  leeward. 
We  were  satisfied  that  their  motive  was 
friendly,  as,  at  that  part  of  the  shore,  a 
heavy  surf  was  running,  which  would  have 
made  it  very  dangerous  for  us  to  have 
attempted  to  land. 

After  we  had  passed  round  the  point,  we 
lay  to,  till  we  were  boarded  by  four  or  five 
Spaniards,  who  came  off  in  a  small  boat. 
We  knew  as  little  of  their  language  as  they 
of  ours ;  but,  by  a  variety  of  gesticulations, 
and  often  repeating  the  words,  America, 
Jamaica,  Kingston,  &c.,  we  made  them  com 
prehend,  in  some  degree,  our  circumstances. 

They  saw  that  we  were  in  distress,  and 
probably  were  not  unwilling  to  appropriate 
our  boat  to  their  use. 

It  was  easy  for  them  to  perceive  by  our 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  201 

looks  that  we  had  suffered  much  from  fatigue 
and  hunger;  the  last  two  days  we  had 
endured  as  much  as  human  nature  was 
capable  of  sustaining,  and  the  effects  were 
visible  in  our  appearance.  They  took  us 
on  shore,  carried  us  to  a  hut,  where  they 
placed  before  us  a  plentiful  supply  of  pork 
and  pease,  together  with  a  large  bowl  of 
beans.  This  was  the  first  comfortable  meal 
we  had  enjoyed  since  we  left  Kingston,  and 
we  enjoyed  it  in  peace  without  any  fear  of 
interruption. 

We  eat  to  our  stomachs'  content,  and  then 
were  left  alone  to  obtain  some  sleep,  of 
which  we  were  in  great  need,  having  been 
nearly  as  destitute  of  that,  as  we  had  been 
of  food,  for  the  last  six  days.  We  slept 
soundly  till  past  noon. 

I  think  I  have  never  since  enjoyed  a  more 
satisfactory  meal  or  more  refreshing  sleep 
than  I  did  that  day.  No  care  for  the  future 
crossed  our  minds.  Our  dangers  were  pass 
ed,  our  object  was  accomplished.  We  felt 
ourselves  free  men.  When  we  reflected 
upon  the  events  of  the  last  six  days;  the 
hazard  to  which  we  had  been  exposed ;  the 
desperate  encounters  we  had  maintained: 


202      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

our  hair-breadth  escapes;  our  hearts  were 
filled  with  gratitude  to  Him,  who  overrules 
all  things,  and  by  whose  goodness  we  had 
been  preserved. 

Enlisting  in  the  British  service  I  had  never 
ceased  to  regret,  from  the  moment  I  left  the 
old  Jersey  prison- ship.  There  was  some 
thing  revolting  to  the  mind  of  an  American 
in  the  reflection  of  being  subject  to  the 
authority  of  the  oppressors  of  his  country. 
It  was  a  thraldom,  from  which  I  was  deter 
mined  to  be  liberated.  My  mind  was  occu 
pied  with  this  intention;  danger  and  death 
were  "minor  considerations,  compared  with 
the  accomplishment  of  this  object.  It  was 
accomplished ;  we  awoke,  and  rejoiced  that 
we  were  free.  But  much  remained  to  be 
done ;  and  although  we  were  safe  from  pur 
suit,  we  were  strangers  in  a  strange  land, 
far  from  our  native  soil,  and  ignorant  of 
what  means  were  in  our  power  to  return  to 
our  own  country. 

The  people  around  appeared  to  be  friendly, 
but  still  they  looked  upon  us  with  suspicion ; 
and,  though  they  did  not  treat  us  like  prison 
ers,  they  watched  our  motions  with  some 


OF    E13ENEZER    FOX.  203 

degree  of  vigilance.  When  we  went  out  of 
the  hut,  where  we  had  been  so  hospitably 
entertained,  we  found  a  large  collection  of 
Spaniards,  who,  by  the  language  common  to 
man,  questioned  us  respecting  whence  we 
came,  who  we  were,  and  whither  we  wished 
to  go.  To  all  of  these  questions  we  replied 
as  well  as  we  were  able,  by  gestures  and 
grimaces,  making  ourselves  as  intelligible  to 
them  as  they  did  to  us. 

It  was  evident  to  us,  that  our  friends 
were  desirous  of  our  departure,  and  were 
willing  to  offer  us  every  facility  to  favor 
their  wishes.  We  reciprocated  their  good 
feelings,  and  were  as  anxious  to  leave  them 
as  they  were  to  bid  us  farewell. 

Pork,  pease,  and  beans,  were  again  set 
before  us,  upon  which  we  made  a  sumptu 
ous  repast,  and  felt  ourselves  surprisingly 
recruited.  Our  friends  then  directed  our 
attention  to  a  small  vessel,  lying  up  a  creek, 
close  under  the  land,  which  was  ready  to 
sail  for  St.  Domingo,  now  called  Hayti. 
They  engaged  a  passage  for  us  in  this 
vessel,  which  was  of  about  fifty  tons'  burden, 
and  rigged  like  a  lugger. 


204     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

We  weighed  anchor  about  sunset,  but,  as 
it  was  foggy,  our  progress  was  at  first  rather 
slow.  After  a  sail  of  three  days,  we  ap ' 
proached  the  island  of  St.  Domingo  in  the 
night,  and  lay  off  till  the  next  day,  when> 
the  wind  proving  favorable,  we  run  into 
port,  and  dropped  anchor  in  the  harbor  of 
Cape  Francois,  now  Cape  Henri. 

During  this  short  voyage,  we  received 
much  kind  treatment  from  the  captain  and 
crew,  being  plentifully  supplied  with  provi 
sions,  and  permitted  to  enjoy  as  much  rest 
as  we  desired. 

With  recovered  strength  and  spirits,  we 
prepared  to  leave  the  vessel ;  and,  with  grati 
tude  to  the  captain  for  his  kindness,  and  to 
God  for  his  mercies,  we  went  on  board  of 
the  American  frigate  Flora,  of  thirty-two 
guns,  commanded  by  Henry  Johnson,  Esq., 
of  Boston. 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  205 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

IN  the  year  1778,  Count  d'Estaing,  with 
his  fleet,  approached  Newport,  R.  I.,  with 
the  intention  of  attacking  the  British,  who 
were  in  possession  of  that  place.  The  Brit 
ish  destroyed  their  frigates  in  the  harbor,  to 
prevent  their  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  The  Orpheus,  Lark,  Juno,  and 
Cerberus  frigates,  they  burned ;  the  Flora 
and  the  Falcon  they  sunk.  The  Americans 
afterwards  raised  the  Flora,  and  fitted  her 
up  for  service  against  her  former  masters. 
This  frigate  I  found  anchored  in  the  harbor 
of  Cape  Henri. 

The  sight  of  the  thirteen  stripes  and  stars, 
floating  over  an  American  frigate,  gave  ani 
mation  to  our  thoughts  and  actions.  We 
felt  sure  of  safety  and  protection.  With 
much  exultation  and  satisfaction,  we  stepped 
upon  the  deck  of  the  Flora.  We  could 
hardly  realize  that  we  were  the  same  men, 
who,  a  few  days  before,  were  fleeing  through 
18 


206      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

the  woods  of  Jamaica,  like  beasts  of  night, 
avoiding  the  light  of  day,  and  afraid  of  the 
sight  of  a  negro.  When  we  compared  our 
present  condition  with  what  it  had  been 
during  the  greater  part  of  the  past  year ;  in 
confinement  on  board  of  that  "floating  hell," 
the  "Old  Jersey;'7  in  garrison,  serving  the 
enemy  of  our  country,  with  feelings  of  dis 
gust  and  despondency;  fugitives  from  that 
enemy,  under  circumstances  that  rendered 
our  escape  almost  hopeless,  with  the  cer 
tainty  of  death  in  case  of  detection ;  when 
we  thought  of  all  this,  and  found  ourselves 
standing  erect,  among  our  own  countrymen, 
upon  the  deck  of  an  American  frigate,  we 
almost  doubted  our  personal  identity;  our 
feelings  may  be  more  easily  imagined  than 
described. 

Captain  Johnson  received  us  kindly,  and 
was  willing  to  employ  us  for  the  voyage  at 
a  compensation  often  dollars  per  month; 
but,  when  my  comrades  were  informed  that 
the  vessel  was  not  going  directly  to  Boston : 
that  she  would  visit  France  first,  and  might 
stay  there  some  time,  they  declined  engag 
ing  in  her  service.  Two  of  them  belonged 
to  Connecticut,  one  to  Rhode-Island,  and 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  207 

the  other  was  an  Irishman.  They  suc 
ceeded  in  rinding  a  vessel  that  was  bound 
to  some  port  near  home,  and  whose  voyage 
would  be  less  circuitous  than  that  of  the 
Flora.  I  was  the  only  one  of  our  little 
party,  who  had  suffered  so  much  together, 
who  entered  into  the  service  of  Captain 
Johnson.  I  was  as  anxious  to  get  home  as 
my  companions  ;  but  there  was  a  degree  of 
safety  on  board  of  the  Flora,  which  I  could 
not  expect  on  board  of  a  merchant  ship. 

I  likewise  felt  some  desire  of  visiting 
France ;  and  I  entertained  some  hope  that 
we  might  make  some  captures  in  the  course 
of  the  voyage ;  for  I  had  not  yet  rested  long 
enough  after  my  sufferings  to  cultivate  the 
Christian  spirit  of  "forgiveness  to  my  ene 
mies.'7  I  felt  willing  to  encounter  the  haz 
ard  of  an  engagement,  for  an  opportunity  to 
pay  off  some  old  scores,  which  I  fancied 
were  then  their  due. 

I  received  from  our  noble  captain  two 
months'  wages  in  advance,  and,  being  des 
titute  of  everything  necessary  for  the  voyage, 
excepting  the  miserable  clothes  which  I 
wore,  I  was  permitted  to  go  on  shore  to 
make  the  purchases  that  I  thought  requisite. 


208  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

As  my  companions  had  determined  not  to 
engage  in  the  service  of  the  Flora,  but  to 
seek  for  a  berth  on  board  of  some  other  ves 
sel,  I  knew  that  I  must  experience  the  pain 
ful  task  of  separation  from  those  who  were 
endeared  to  me  as  fellow-sufferers  in  afflic 
tions  and  dangers.  The  ties  of  friendship 
which  united  us,  were  too  strong  to  be 
easily  broken.  The  circumstances  which 
had  engaged  us  in  one  common  cause,  had 
created  a  fraternal  feeling  in  our  breasts  too 
deep  to  be  soon  obliterated.  We  concluded 
to  grace  our  parting  with  a  farewell  supper. 
We  adjourned  to  a  public  house,  and  gave 
directions  for  a  sumptuous  repast;  and, 
while  it  was  preparing,  we  regaled  our 
selves  upon  a  few  bottles  of  claret,  in  order 
to  elevate  our  spirits  to  a  proper  degree,  that 
the  gloomy  thoughts  of  our  separation  might 
not  allow  our  supper  to  be  a  melancholy 
one.  By  the  time  the  feast  was  prepared, 
our  spirits  were  raised  to  a  proper  state  for 
enjoyment ;  and  a  happier  or  more  jolly  set 
of  fellows  never  assembled  around  a  table, 
than  we  were  that  night. 

The  sufferings  we  had  endured,  and  the 
dangers  we  had  passed,  were  fruitful  sub- 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  209 

jects  for  conversation.  We  eat  and  drank 
till  a  late  hour,  when  we  arose  from  the 
table,  and,  grasping  each  other  by  the  hand, 
and  with  feelings  that  touched  our  hearts, 
we  said  to  each  other,  "  God  bless  you — 
farewell.'7  To  me  this  was  a  final  farewell 
to  my  companions;  from  that  time  to  the 
present  I  have  never  seen  one  of  them,  nor 
have  I  ever  heard  what  became  of  them. 

As  they  were  all  older  than  myself,  it  is 
not  probable  that  any  of  them  are  now 
among  the  living.  If  they  are,  I  repeat  the 
farewell  wish,  which  I  gave  fifty-six  years 
ago — "  God  bless  you !  " 

The  next  day,  after  I  had  purchased 
what  articles  of  clothing  I  thought  necessary 
for  the  voyage,  I  went  on  board  of  the 
Flora,  and  reported  myself  ready  for  duty. 

This  ship,  as  I  have  observed,  was  for 
merly  a  British  frigate,  but,  after  she  was 
raised  by  the  Americans,  she  was  fitted  out 
as  a  letter-of-marque,  and  sent  by  her  own 
ers  on  the  present  voyage. 

With  mingled  feelings  of  happiness,  grati 
tude  and  pride,  I  entered  into  the  service 
of  my  country  once  more,  and  stepped  with 
18* 


210     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

much  satisfaction  upon  the  deck  of  this  fine 
ship.  Captaia  Johnson  was  an  excellent 
officer;  very  affable  and  courteous  in  his 
manners;  and  much  beloved  by  his  officers 
and  crew. 

If  anything  could  add  to  the  satisfaction 
I  experienced  in  finding  myself  on  board  of 
an  American  ship,  commanded  by  agreeable 
officers,  and  surrounded  by  a  crew  princi 
pally  of  my  own  countrymen,  it  was  the 
circumstance  of  finding  several  Bostonians. 
with  whom  I  had  formerly  been  partially 
acquainted.  Among  these  was  Mr.  Na 
thaniel  Craft,  of  Roxbury,  who  afterwards 
died  at  Bordeaux ;  and  Samuel  G.  Perkins, 
Esq.,  of  Boston,  then  a  young  man,  brother 
of  the  Hon.  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  distin 
guished  for  his  philanthropy  and  benevo 
lence.  How  different  is  the  character  of 
this  last-named  gentleman  from  that  of 
many  others,  who  have  lived  apparently  for 
the  sole  purpose  of  leaving  to  their  heirs  the 
inheritance  of  a  bloated  fortune ;  to  quarrel 
about  its  division,  and  then  perhaps  to  dis 
sipate,  in  a  few  years,  what  has  cost  their 
fathers  the  labor  of  a  long  life  to  accumu 
late  !  Of  these  all  that  can  be  said  is,  — 


OF   EBENEZER    FOX.  2U 

they  lived — they  died. — and  their  names 
have  perished  with  them. 

«  Even  half  a  million 

Gets  him  no  other  praise" 

He  toiled  and  moiled, 

Poor  muckworm !  through  his  threescore  years  and  ten, 
And  when  the  earth  shall  now  be  shovelled  on  him, 
If  that  which  served  him  for  a  soul  were  still 
Within  its  husk,  't  would  still  be  dirt  to  dirt. 

Having  amassed  a  princely  fortune,  Mr. 
Perkins  manifests  the  benevolence  of  his 
heart  in  the  liberal  use  he  makes  of  it ;  not 
in  ostentation  and  parade,  but  for  the  bene 
fit  of  his  fellow-creatures.  He  enjoys  the 
satisfaction  of  doing  good,  and  of  seeing  the 
fruits  of  his  goodness  while  he  lives.  He 
does  not  wait  for  his  works  to  follow  him ; 
he  has  the  pleasure  of  seeing  them  go  before 
him.  He  does  not  wait  for  his  children  to 
"rise  up  and  call  him  blessed;'7  he  hears 
the  blessings  of  grateful  hearts,  and  feels  a 
consciousness  of  having  been  a  faithful 
steward. 

When  I  pass  through  Pearl-street,  and 
look  upon  his  noble  bequest,  "The  Institu 
tion  for  the  Blind/7  *  and  reflect  upon  what 
a  vast  amount  of  happiness  he  has  conferred 

*  Since  removed  to  South  Boston. 


212     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

upon  those  unfortunate  beings,  from  whom 
the  blessing  of  light  has  been  shut,  I  cannot 
but  think  that  he  will  receive  a  more  glori 
ous  reward  than  he  enjoys  on  earth ;  a  wel 
come  into  mansions  of  rest  where  peace  and 
righteousness  forever  reign. 

To  return  to  my  narrative :  There  were 
lying  in  the  port  of  Cape-Francois,  while 
we  were  there,  several  Spanish  and  French 
ships  of  war,  in  want  of  men,  waiting  til] 
they  could  obtain  their  complement,  with 
the  intention  of  sailing  in  quest  of  the  Brit 
ish  fleet. 

The  Sunday  previous  to  our  sailing,  I, 
with  several  of  the  crew,  obtained  permission 
to  go  on  shore.  It  was  customary  then  in 
foreign  ports  to  allow  the  sailors  to  make 
use  of  Sunday  as  a  day  of  recreation. 
While  we  were  enjoying  ourselves  over  a 
bottle  of  wine  in  a  public  house,  a  large 
press-gang  of  Frenchmen  suddenly  entered, 
and,  seizing  upon  all  of  us,  hurried  us  off 
into  their  boat;  and,  notwithstanding  our 
protestations  against  this  outrage  upon 
Americans,  conveyed  us  on  board  of  a 
French  seventy-four.  We  immediately  made 
known  to  the  captain  that  we  belonged  to 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  213 

the  Flora,  and  demanded  to  be  released. 
But  he  showed  no  disposition  to  comply 
with  our  demands,  saying  that  he  was  m 
want  of  hands,  and  that  we  should  receive 
as  good  pay  and  treatment  on  hoard  of  his 
ship  as  in  our  own. 

This  was  poor  consolation  for  us.  It  was 
provoking  as  well  as  distressing  to  be  thus 
imprisoned,  as  it  were,  in  sight  of  our  own 
ship;  but,  having  no  communication  with 
her,  we  could  not  give  any  information  of 
our  situation.  We  knew  that  the  combined 
fleet  was  to  sail  in  a  few  days;*  and 
although  we  had  no  objections  to  fighting 
our  old  enemy,  the  British,  we  yet  had 
some  choice  as  it  respected  the  company 
we  fought  in,  and  had  but  little  desire  to 
obey  the  orders  of  French  officers,  or  to 
mingle  our  blood  with  that  of  their  crew. 

My  desire  to  get  away  from  this  ship  was 
as  great  as  it  had  formerly  been  to  escape 
from  the  British  at  Kingston ;  and  the  diffi 
culty  of  effecting  it  appeared  about  as  for 
midable.  It  was  vain  to  regret  that  I  did 

*  The  combined  fleet  sailed  shortly  after,  under  the  com 
mand  of  the  Count  de  Grasse,  and  were  nearly  all  taken  or 
destroyed  by  the  British  fleet. 


214  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

not  spend  the  Sabbath  on  board  of  the 
Flora,  instead  of  carousing  at  a  public 
house  on  shore.  My  regret  was  sincere; 
and  I  resolved  never  to  be  guilty  of  such 
imprudence  again,  were  I  once  more  safe 
on  board  of  our  good  ship. 

CA  our  impressed  party,  consisting  of  four 
or  five,  not  one  could  swim  except  myself. 
We  conferred  together,  and  came  to  the 
conclusion  that  the  only  chance  we  had  for 
escape  consisted  in  my  attempting  to  swim 
in  the  night  to  the  Flora,  which  lay  about 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  seventy-four. 
I  had  no  fear  of  not  being  able  to  swim  that 
distance;  the  only  danger  I  apprehended 
was  from  the  sharks,  which  were  very 
abundant  in  those  waters. 

I  agreed  with  my  companions,  that  this 
appeared  to  be  the  only  practicable  method 
of  escape;  and,  after  some  urging  on  their 
part,  and  some  flattery  of  the  honor  I  should 
gain  by  the  achievement,  I  concluded  to 
undertake  it  that  night. 

Late  at  night  I  went  on  deck,  accom 
panied  by  one  of  my  friends,  and,  finding 
the  sentinel  asleep,  we  went  forward,  and 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  215 

divesting  myself  of  my  jacket,  but  keeping 
on  my  hat.  shirt,  and  trousers,  I  slid  down 
by  the  cable  quietly  into  the  water,  and 
struck  out  for  the  Flora.  * 

Of  all  the  dangers  to  which  I  had  been 
exposed  in  the  course  of  my  adventures,  I 
consider  this  the  greatest.  The  horror  ^f 
mind  I  experienced,  whilst  swimming,  is 
indescribable.  My  agitation  was  so  great; 
that  I  wonder  that  I  did  not  sink,  through ~ 
fear  of  being  devoured.  I  imagined  a  shark 
at  my  feet  every  time  I  threw  them  out.  I 
exerted  myself  with  so  much  vigor,  that  in 
a  very  short  time  I  was  alongside  of  the 
Flora,  but  in  so  exhausted  a  state,  that  I 
could  hardly  raise  myself  over  the  side 
of  the  boat  which  floated  alongside  of 
the  ship.  I  threw  myself  into  the  bottom, 
from  which  I  was  scarcely  able  to  move  for 
some  time. 

After  I  had  recovered  a  sufficient  degree 
of  strength,  I  ascended  the  side  of  the  ship, 
and,  finding  no  one  on  deck,  I  lay  down  in 
my  wet  clothes,  and  putting  my  hat  under 
my  head,  slept  soundly  all  night. 

When  I  awoke  in  the  morning,  I  found 


216     REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

that  I  was  unable  to  move  in  consequence 
of  my  clothes  adhering  to  the  pitch,  which 
the  heat  of  the  climate  caused  to  ooze  from 
the  seams  in  the  deck.  By  using  considera 
ble  exertion,  and  rolling  one  way  and  the 
other,  I  at  length  liberated  myself  from  my 
confinement,  and  stood  erect  once  more  on 
the  deck  of  an  American  ship. 

I  immediately  communicated  to  Captain 
Johnson  the  cause  of  my  absence  and  the 
situation  of  my  companions,  and  their  great 
desire  to  be  again  on  board  of  his  ship,  and 
the  hazardous  undertaking  I  had  accom 
plished  to  give  him  information  of  the  cir 
cumstances. 

Captain  Johnson  immediately  sent  an 
officer  with  his  boat,  and  demanded  the 
release  of  his  men.  The  captain  of  the 
French  seventy-four  gave  them  up  and 
made  many  apologies,  in  the  polite  manner 
of  a  Frenchman,  for  "  the  mistake  that  was 
made  in  impressing  his  friends  the  Ameri 
cans."  Thus  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  be 
ing  the  instrument  in  restoring  my  country 
men  to  their  ship,  and  of  finding  myself 
safe  in  the  protection  of  our  excellent  com 
mander. 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  217 

Having  taken  in  our  loading  of  sugar, 
and  everything  being  ready  for  sea,  we 
hoisted  anchor,  and  set  sail  about  the  mid 
dle  of  May,  1782.  The  first  few  days  after 
leaving  the  Cape,  we  had  but  little  wind ; 
afterwards  we  made  good  progress,  and 
continued  on  our  course  without  interrup 
tion  for  about  a  fortnight ;  when  we  fell  in 
with  a  British  brig  from  Liverpool,  bound 
to  New  York.  We  took  possession*  of  her, 
and,  putting  an  officer  and  prize  crew  on 
board,  ordered  her  for  Boston,  where  she 
arrived.  I  afterwards  received  thirty  dol 
lars  as  my  share  of  the  prize-money. 

We  continued  on  our  voyage,  and,  in 
eight  days  after,  captured  a  large  ship 
bound  to  Quebec,  loaded  with  munitions  of 
war  and  clothing  for  soldiers,  a  very  valua 
ble  prize.  She  was  ordered  for  Boston,  but, 
unluckily  for  us,  never  arrived  there,  being 
afterwards  recaptured,  by  a  British  ship  of 
war,  off  the  Banks  of  Newfoundland.  Had 
she  arrived  safely  at  Boston,  my  share  of 
the  prize-money  would  have  amounted  to  a 
considerable  sum. 

It  was  nearly  three  weeks  after,  when 
19 


218      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

we  arrived  off  the  coast  of  France,  and, 
having  taken  a  pilot  on  board,  our  ship  was 
carried  up  the  Garonne  to  the  city  of  Bor 
deaux,  where,  on  account  of  the  rapidity  of 
the  current,  she  was  moored  both  head  and 
stern. 

Our  ship  was  soon  unloaded,  and  stripped 
of  her  sails  and  rigging,  as  preparatory  to 
her  being  laid  up  till  orders  could  be  re 
ceived  from  Boston.  Part  of  the  crew  were 
paid  oif  and  discharged ;  the  remainder,  that 
chose,  were  permitted  to  remain  on  board 
upon  small  wages.  Captain  Johnson  hired 
a  house  in  the  city,  where  he  lived  with  his 
servants  in  a  style  becoming  the  dignity  of 
the  commander  of  a  fine  American  ship. 

As  the  Flora  was  a  fast-sailing  vessel, 
our  captain  was  in  expectation  of  receiving 
orders  from  home  to  fit  her  out  as  a  cruiser. 
In  the  hope  of  having  another  cruise,  and 
anticipating  an  abundance  of  captures  with 
the  nature'  consequence  resulting,  —  an  enor 
mous  amount  of  prize-money, — I  was  will 
ing  to  remain  in  the  ship,  with  the  expecta 
tion  of  being  one  of  her  favored  crew.  We 
remained  at  Bordeaux  about  nine  months, 
and  began  to  grow  impatient  at  not  receiv* 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  219 

ing  any  directions  from  home  respecting  our 
future  operations. 

When  we  arrived  at  Bordeaux,  we  found 
in  the  harbor,  which  is  very  capacious,  five 
or  six  hundred  vessels,  bearing  the  flags  of 
various  nations,  among  which  our  stars  and 
stripes  held  a  conspicuous  place.  As  we 
had  but  little  work  to  perform  on  board  of 
the  ship,  much  of  our  time  was  spent  on 
shore. 

With  the  improvidence  characteristic  of 
sailors,  our  money  was  spent  freely ;  and  in 
a  few  days  almost  every  one  of  the  crew 
graced  his  pocket  with  a  watch,  from  which 
a  formidable  chain  was  suspended ;  and,  to 
complete  the  equipment,  adorned  his  head 
with  a  new  hat  trimmed  with  a  broad  band 
of  gold  lace. 

When  we  made  a  visit  on  shore,  we  were 
very  careful  to  return  to  the  ship  before 
dark,  partly  on  account  of  the  patrol  that 
paraded  the  streets  at  night,  but  principally 
in  consequence  of  the  danger  of  being  on  the 
river  after  dark.  The  current  of  the  Ga 
ronne  is  extremely  rapid.  With  the  help 
of  the  tide,  we  ascended  the  river  to  Bor- 


220      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

deaux  in  three  or  four  days;  anchoring 
every  time  the  tide  ebbed.  The  tide  rises 
twice  a  day  to  the  height  of  four  or  five 
yards,  and  the  velocity  of  the  current  some 
times  exceeds  three  yards  in  a  second.  Bor 
deaux,  from  its  commerce  and  importance, 
ranks  among  the  first  towns  in  the  kingdom, 
and  its  harbor  is  capable  of  containing  a 
thousand  ships. 

One  night,  a  number  of  our  crew,  after 
having  spent  the  day  on  shore,  attempted  to 
return  to  the  ship  after  dark.  The  boat 
pushed  off  with  four  oars,  directing  her 
course  for  the  head  of  the  vessel.  She 
arrived  at  the  starboard  bow,  and  was  cross 
ing  it  so  as  to  bring  up  on  the  larboard  side, 
when  she  unfortunately  ran  upon  the  cable, 
and  was  immediately  drawn  under  the  ship. 
A  boat  was  let  down  as  soon  as  possible,  and 
all  the  men  picked  up  but  one,  who  was 
drowned.  The  boat  floated  off,  but  was 
found  the  next  day  and  brought  back  to  the 
ship. 

Having  visited  nearly  every  part  of  the 
city,  and  seen  all  the  wonders  of  the  place, 
and  spent  nearly  all  our  money  ;  we  began 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  221 

to  grow  tired  of  our  monotonous  life,  and 
were  desirous  of  being  engaged  in  active 
service,  or  of  returning  to  our  native  land. 
Twelve  or  fifteen  American  vessels  were 
then  lying  in  the  port,  waiting  for  orders 
from  home.  Among  these  I  recollect  the 
large  ship  which  was  commanded  by  the 
renowned  John  Paul  Jones,  in  whose  service 
the  American  seamen  were  desirous  of 
engaging 

19* 


222  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

WE  began  to  grow  impatient  with  our 
long  stay  in  France,  and  became  anxious  to 
return  home. 

An  end  was  soon  put  to  our  anxieties 
upon  this  subject.  Early  in  the  spring  of 
the  year  1783,  news  arrived  of  the  peace, 
and  that  Great  Britain,  after  a  contest  of 
seven  years,  had  acknowledged  the  Indepen 
dence  of  the  United  States.  This  news 
ought  to  have  produced  as  much  joy  and 
satisfaction  among  the  Americans  in  Bor 
deaux,  as  it  did  among  their  fellow-country 
men  at  home.  But  this  news,  so  highly 
prized  in  the  United  States,  produced  much 
misery  and  distress  among  the  seamen  in 
foreign  ports.  A  small  number  of  them 
only  were  necessary  to  navigate  the  ships 
upon  their  return ;  the  remainder  were  of 
course  discharged,  and  left  destitute  of 
means  to  enable  them  to  return  to  their  own 
country.  He  considered  himself  fortunate 


OF    EBENEZER   FOX.  223 

who  could  obtain  a  passage  home  for  the 
labor  he  might  perform,  without  receiving 
any  other  compensation  for  his  services. 

Our  excellent  captain,  Johnson,  made 
great  exertions  to  procure  passages  for  those 
of  his  crew  whom  he  did  not  wish  to  detain 
till  he  received  orders  respecting  the  future 
destination  of  his  ship,  and  who  were  anxious 
to  get  home.  There  happened  at  this  time 
to  be  on  a  visit  to  Bordeaux,  the  captains  of 
two  American  brigs,  lying  at  Nantes,  bound 
for  Boston,  who  were  in  want  of  hands. 
These  gentlemen  wished  to  obtain  sixteen 
or  eighteen  American  seamen,  and  Captain 
Johnson  kindly  oifered  to  recommend  me 
among  that  number. 

We  engaged  in  the  service  of  these  cap 
tains,  and  made  a  bargain  with  the  captain 
of  a  French  lugger  to  carry  us  to  Nantes. 
We  immediately  repaired  on  board,  and 
proceeded  slowly  down  the  river,  as  the  cur 
rent  is  so  swift  that  it  is  necessary  for  a 
vessel  to  go  down  the  river  stern  foremost, 
dragging  an  anchor  all  the  time  from  her 
bows  to  retard  her  too  rapid  progress.  We 
were  nearly  three  days  in  getting  down  the 


224    REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

river,  and  about  as  much  longer  in  our  pas 
sage  to  Nantes. 

Nantes,  which  held  the  second  rank,  after 
Bordeaux,  as  a  commercial  city,  is  on  the 
right  hank  of  the  Loire.  It  is  admired  for 
the  regularity  of  its  streets,  the  elegance  of 
its  public  buildings,  and  the  magnificence 
of  its  quays. 

The  verdant  banks  of  the  river,  and  the 
many  islands  scattered  in  different  direc-lions, 
give  Nantes  a  picturesque  and  beautiful 
appearance. 

After  our  arrival  at  Nantes,  we  took  lodg 
ings  at  a  boarding-house  for  a  few  days, 
until  everything  was  arranged  for  our  recep 
tion  on  board  of  the  brigs. 

In  a  few  days  the  vessels  were  loaded,  and 
ready  to  sail.  We  weighed  anchor,  and 
set  sail  in  April,  1783. 

We  were  two  days  in  getting  down  the 
river,  and  anchored  for  a  few  days  at  Paim- 
boBuf,  a  town  situated  on  the  left  bank  of 
the  Loire,  about  thirty  miles  below  Nantes. 

We  then  weighed  anchor,  for  the  last 
time,  with  a  joyful  "  Yeo-a-hoi,"  and  set 
sail  for  our  native  land; — a  land  of  free* 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  225 

dom,  where  I  anticipated,  with  emotions 
that  cannot  be  described,  the  pleasure  of 
meeting  with  relations  and  friends,  from 
whom  I  had  been  so  long  absent,  and  where 
I  hoped  to  enjoy  the  sweets  of  liberty,  with 
out  anything  "  to  molest  or  make  me  afraid." 
I  ?iad  endured  much  hardship ;  encountered 
many  dangers  on  the  ocean  and  upon  the 
land;  and  I  trust  that  I  had  felt  grateful  for 
the  support  and  protection  I  had  experi 
enced. 

After  all  my  wanderings,  I  found  that  I 
coveted  rest,  in  my  dear  native  land,  more 
than  all  other  things.  In  the  morning  of 
life,  as  I  then  was,  full  of  health  and  strength 
and  buoyant  spirits,  the  idea  of  once  more 
seeing  home  gave  so  much  animation  to  my 
feelings,  that  I  was  enabled  to  perform  my 
duties  with  a  degree  of  alacrity  scarcely 
equalled  by  any  of  the  crew.  Every  little 
service  I  could  perform  was  a  pleasure  to 
me,  as  I  was  conscious  that  it  helped  to  for 
ward  my  onward  course  to  the  object  of  all 
my  wishes — HOME. 

"  There  is  a  spot  of  earth  supremely  blest, 
A  dearer,  sweeter  spot  than  all  the  rest, 


226      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

Where  man,  creation's  tyrant,  casts  aside 
His  sword  and  sceptre,  pageantry  and  pride. 
Here  woman  reigns  ;  the  mother,  daughter,  wife, 
Strew  with  fresh  flowers  the  narrow  path  of  life. 
Where  shall  that  land,  that  spot  of  earth  be  found  ? 
Art  thou  a  man  ?  a  patriot  ?  look  around  : 
Oh,  thou  shalt  find,  howe'er  thy  footsteps  roam, 
That  land  THY  COUNTRY,  and  that  spot  THY  HOME." 

Our  voyage  was  a  pleasant  one,  and 
nothing  uncommon  occurred,  till  we  arrived 
on  the  American  coast,  when  we  fell  in 
with  six  or  eight  British  ships,  bound  to 
England. 

Their  decks  were  covered  with  the  well- 
known  "red  coats,"  who  had  survived  the 
attempt  to  conquer  our  country. 

As  our  flag  of  stripes  and  stars  was  con 
spicuously  displayed,  they  knew  that  we 
were  "Yankees,"  with  whom  they  showed 
no  desire  to  continue  an  acquaintance. 

Our  captain  hailed  them  to  know  "whence 
they  were  from,  and  whither  bound?"  but 
no  answer  was  returned.  Again  he  repeated 
his  question ;  but  his  Yankee  curiosity  was 
not  gratified.  He  once  more  put  his  trumpet 
to  his  mouth  and  roared  with  a  voice  like 

thunder,  "  Go  and  be ,  we  neither  lovo 

nor  fear  you." 


OF    EBENEZER    FOX.  227 

Our  course  was  directed  to  Boston,  and, 
shortly  after  our  captain's  friendly  saluta 
tion,  we  anchored  in  Nantasket  roads,  and 
in  a  few  days  arrived  in  Boston. 

I  stepped  ashore  on  Long-wharf,  in  the 
latter  part  of  May,  1783,  after  an  absence 
of  about  three  years. 

As  soon  as  I  could  get  released  from  the 
vessel,  I  visited  my  brother  James,  at  Mr. 
Tuckerman's,  where  he  had  lived  during 
my  absence,  to  obtain  information  respect 
ing  my  good  mother  and  my  brothers  and 
sisters. 

From  him  I  received  the  pleasing  intelli 
gence,  that  the  family  were  all  in  good 
health;  but  that  my  mother  had  given  up  all 
hope  of  ever  seeing  me  again  on  earth. 
While  walking  over  Boston  Neck  to  Rox- 
bury,  where  my  mother  still  resided,  my 
brother  and  I  arranged  a  plan  to  introduce 
me  to  my  mother  as  a  sailor,  who  had  just 
arrived  from  a  foreign  port,  where  he  had 
seen  her  son  Eben.,  and  had  some  interest 
ing  information  to  communicate  concerning 
him.  We  soon  arrived  at  the  house,  and  I 
was  formally  introduced  in  the  manner  pro- 


228  REVOLUTIONARY   ADVENTURES 

posed.  Time,  hardship,  and  exposure  to 
various  climates,  had  produced  such  an 
alteration  in  my  personal  appearance,  that  it 
is  no  wonder  that  the  eye  of  maternal  affec 
tion  did  not  recognize  me.  The  good  old  lady 
received  me  very  kindly,  and  manifested  all 
the  interest,  which  it  is  natural  for  a  mother 
to  feel  towards  one  who  has  seen  and  con 
versed  with  a  long-absent  son. 

After  having  conversed  with  her  for  some 
time,  and  endeavored  to  answer  a  multitude 
of  questions,  which  soon  grew  too  minute 
for  my  ingenuity  to  invent  answers  satis 
factory  to  her,  I  could  no  longer  conceal  my 
impatience  to  make  myself  known,  and 
exclaimed,  as  I  arose  to  embrace  her, 
"  Mother,  don't  you  know  your  son?" 

Her  joy  may  be  more  easily  imagined 
than  described.  I  was  at  home.  The  alter 
nate  hopes  and  fears,  that  had  so  long 
agitated  her  mind,  were  now  all  over.  She 
saw  me  alive  and  well.  It  was  sufficient ; 
she  was  satisfied  and  happy. 

She  shed  tears  of  gratitude  and  joy,  and 
we  both  blessed  God  that  we  were  permitted 
to  be  united  in  a  family  circle  once  more. 
My  four  brothers  and  three  sisters,  as  well 


OF   EBENEZER    FOX.  229 

as  my  mother,  were  all  anxious  to  hear  me 
relate  my  adventures,  with  which  I  gratified 
their  curiosity  as  soon  as  I  was  able,  and 
which  produced  many  exclamations  of  fear, 
of  horror,  of  amazement,  and  joy. 

My  story  was  related  at  that  time  to  all 
my  acquaintance,  and  it  has  been  so  often 
repeated  in  the  course  of  my  long  life,  that 
all  its  incidents  are  so  strongly  impressed 
upon  my  mind,  that,  at  this  distant  period,  1 
can  bring  them  up  in  my  thoughts  with  all 
the  freshness  of  recent  transactions. 

While  I  was  on  board  of  the  ship  Flora, 
in  the  harbor  of  Cape  Frangois,  I  wrote  a 
few  lines  to  my  mother,  informing  her  of 
my  escape  from  Jamaica,  &c. ;  and  this  was 
all  the  information  she  had  ever  obtained 
concerning  me,  excepting  a  knowledge  of 
the  fact  of  my  having  left  thet"  old  Jersey" 
and  enlisted  in  the  British  service. 

A  circumstance  transpired,  during  my 
absence,  highly  gratifying  and  flattering  to 
my  feelings,  as  it  served  to  show  me  that 
the  poor,  wandering  boy  had  friends  at 
home,  who  manifested  a  lively  interest  in  his 
welfare. 

20 


230  REVOLUTIONARY    ADVENTURES 

Before  I  enlisted  on  board  of  the  Protector, 
jf  had  recommended  myself  to  the  notice  of 
many  respectable  gentlemen,  who  were  cus 
tomers  to  my  master,  and  have  reason  to 
think  that  my  services  were  acceptable  to 
them. 

These  gentlemen  had  received  information 
of  the  manner  in  which  I  had  left  the  prison- 
ship,  and  had  knowledge  enough  of  my 
character  to  conjecture  what  my  motives 
were  for  such  a  proceeding.  They  had 
likewise  heard  that  I  had  been  carried  to 
Jamaica,  and  was  performing  garrison  duty 
there. 

A  subscription  paper  was  carried  round 
for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  sum  of  money, 
sufficient  to  purchase  my  discharge  from  the 
British.  The  names  of  the  gentlemen,  who 
evinced  the  kindness  of  their  feelings  towards 
me  by  the  liberality  of  their  benevolence,  I 
shall  ever  remember  with  gratitude;  and, 
as  they  continued  to  be  customers  to  my 
master  after  my  return,  I  am  able,  at  this 
remote  period,  to  pay  this  humble  tribute  to 
their  memory.  They  are  as  follows :  — 
Col.  Joshua  Davis,  Dea.  Caleb  Davis,  Gen, 


OF   EBENEZER    FOX.  23l 

Amasa  Davis,  Capt.  Robert  Davis,  Ephraim 
May,  Samuel  May,  Col.  John  May,  Edward 
Tuckerman,  Capt.  Nathan  Curtis,  William 
Allen  of  Dorchester,  subscribed  two  guineas; 
Ebenezer  Wales,  Ebenezer  Dorr,  Joseph  Dorr, 
and  many  others,  whose  names  I  do  not 
remember.  All  of  the  above  named  gentle 
men  are  numbered  with  the  dead,  and  I 
trust  are  enjoying  the  high  reward  which  is 
promised  to  those  who  practise  deeds  of  love 
and  benevolence  on  earth. 

The  money,  thus  raised,  was  entrusted  to 
the  care  of  a  gentleman  named  Perry,  then 
living  on  Jamaica  Plain  in  Roxbury,  and 
who  was  about  sailing  to  the  island  of 
Jamaica. 

My  letter  to  my  mother,  from  St.  Domingo, 
arrived  before  Capt.  Perry  sailed  on  his 
voyage,  and  rendered  unnecessary  the  execu 
tion  of  this  benevolent  intention  for  my  liber 
ation.  No  act  of  kindness,  which  I  have 
ever  experienced,  has  impressed  my  mind 
with  more  heart-felt  gratitude,  than  the 
generous  act  I  have  related ;  and,  whenever 
I  have  met  the  descendants  of  my  benefac 
tors,  some  of  whom  now  reside  in  the  south- 


232      REVOLUTIONARY  ADVENTURES 

erly  part  of  Boston,  they  have  had  my 
secret  but  sincere  wishes  for  their  prosperity 
and  happiness. 

I  returned  to  the  service  of  Mr.  Bosson,* 
and  remained  with  him  till  I  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  when  I  established  myself 
in  business  in  my  native  place,  where  I 
have  remained  to  this  day.  I  commenced 
business  in  the  practice  of  the  trade  I  had 
learned ;  but,  after  a  few  years,  I  relinquished 
it,  and  opened  a  store  for  the  sale  of  crockery, 
glass,  and  hard-ware,  in  which  business  I 
continued  till  the  year  1837,  f  when,  rinding 
my  infirmities,  especially  my  deafness,  in- 

*  My  share  of  prize-money  was  eighty  dollars,  all  of  which 
Mr.  Bosson  took.  As  I  was  his  apprentice,  and  not  free,  he 
had  a  legal  right  to  it ;  but,  as  I  remembered  his  agreement 
was  to  give  me  one  half  of  the  prize-money  and  wages  I  was 
to  receive,  and  as  he  retained  the  whole,  I  thought  I  would 
make  an  offset  by  keeping  about  thirty  dollars,  my  share  of 
the  proceeds  of  a  prize,  taken  while  I  was  on  board  of  the 
Flora,  and  what  wages  I  had  not  expended  in  France.  This 
money  I  loaned  to  a  friend,  who  never  found  it  convenient  to 
repay  it.  Such  was  the  pecuniary  result  of  my  three  years' 
suffering.  In  justice  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Bosson,  it  is  pro 
per  for  me  to  state,  that  he  said  that  the  prize-money  he 
received  became  of  no  value  in  his  hands,  as  he  took  it  in  the 
paper  currency  of  the  times. 

tin  the  year  1831,  I  was  appointed  Post-Master,  at  Roz 
bury,  which  office,  after  four  or  five  years,  I  resigned. 


OF   EBENEZER   FOX.  233 

creasing,  I  thought  it  time  to  quit  all  active 
employment;  and  to  ride  at  anchor  the 
remainder  of  my  days. 


NOTE  BY  THE  PUBLISHER. 

The  subject  of  the  preceding  pages  died  in  Roxbury,  the 
14th  of  December,  1843,  in  the  full  possession  of  his  mental 
faculties  to  the  last  moment  of  his  existence.  The  following 
obituary  notice  appeared  in  the  Boston  Mercantile  Journal. 

"  Died  in  Roxbury,  on  Wednesday,  Ebenezer  Fox,  Esq.,  80. 
Mr.  Fox  was  actively  engaged  in  the  revolutionary  conilict, 
and  was  probably  the  only  survivor  of  the  crew  of  the  ship 
Protector  at  the  time  she  had  a  tremendous  action  with  the 
British  ship  Admiral  Duff,  which  resulted  in  the  blowing  up 
of  the  latter  Mr.  Fox  was  an  honest  man,  and  much 
respected." 


APPENDIX. 

August  24,  1838,  I  visited  my  old  shipmate,*  LUTHER 
LITTLE,  Esq.,  at  Marshfield,  Mass.  This  gentleman,  it 
will  be  recollected,  was  severely  wounded  in  an  action 
with  the  "  Admiral  Duff."  We  had  not  seen  each  other 
for  fifty  eight  years ;  and  the  feelings  we  experienced  at 
meeting,  after  so  long  a  separation,  may  be  better  imag 
ined  than  described.  At  the  last  time  I  had  seen  him,  he 
was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  and  I  was  seventeen. 

What  a  change  time  has  made  in  our  appearance !  1 
never  before  was  so  forcibly  struck  with  the  truth  of  the 
observation,  that  "  time  makes  ravages.'*' 

I  found  the  mental  and  bodily  faculties  of  Mr.  Little 
mcommonly  perfect. 

He  informed  me,  that,  at  the  time  of  our  capture,  he 
vas  placed  as  prize-master  on  board  of  the  prize  we  had 
m  tow ;  in  which  he  escaped,  and  arrived  at  Boston,  and 
thus  was  so  fortunate  as  to  be  saved  from  a  long  and 
painful  captivity.  He  did  not,  after  that  event,  enter  into 
the  naval  service ;  but  continued  his  profession  on  the 
ocean,  as  commander  of  a  merchant  ship,  till  he  was 
forty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  retired  from  his  occupa 
tion,  and  devoted  himself  to  agricultural  pursuits,  on  the 
farm  where  he  was  born,  which  was  originally  occupied 
by  his  great-gFandfather,  then  by  his  grandfather,  whom 
he  distinctly  remembers,  afterwards  by  his  father,  and 
finally  by  himself. 

A  singular  instance  of  stability  and  attachment  to 
place  for  the  roving  sons  of  New  England. 

Mr.  Little  is  remarkably  active  for  a  man  of  his  years, 
his  sight  and  hearing  being  very  good,  and,  surrounded 
by  agreeable  and  intelligent  children,  is  in  the  enjoyment 
of  every  blessing  necessary  to  make  old  age  comfortable 
and  happy. 

My  visit  was  rendered  as  agreeable  to  me  as  the  kind 
and  hospitable  treatment,  prompted  by  a  warm  and  gen 
erous  heart,  could  make  it. 

*  This  gentleman  died  on  the  llth  of  March,  1842,  aged 
86  years. 


APPENDIX.  235 

From  Mr.  Little  I  received  information,  that  his  brother 
George,  our  first  lieutenant,  with  Captain  Williams  and 
the  other  officers,  were  carried  to  England  and  confined 
in  prison ;  —  that  his  brother,  with  some  companions  in 
suffering,  bribed  a  sentry  ;  made  their  escape  ;  crossed 
the  British  channel  in  a  small  boat,  and  arrived  in  safety 
in  France. 

Captain  Williams  remained  a  prisoner  in  England,  till 
peace  was  made. 

Mr.  Little  had  supposed,  till  this  visit,  that  he  was  the 
only  survivor  of  all  Jiose  who  once  composed  the  crew 
and  officers  of  the  ship  Protector ;  and  we  presume  that 
none  are  now  living,  who  ever  fought  on  board  of  that 
ship,  excepting  ourselves. 

GEORGE  LITTLE,  Esq.,  after  rendering  his  country  signal 
service  in  the  performance  of  many  daring  achievements, 
commanded  the  frigate  Boston,  well  known  in  our  naval 
history,  and  died  inTMarshfield,  in  a  good  old  age. 

On  page  95,  I  have  given  from  recollection  a  single 
verse  of  a  song  at  the  ratification  of  the  Federal  Consti- 
ution  by  the  Massachusetts  Convention,  concerning  Cap- 
am  JOHN  FOSTER  WILLIAMS.  I  have  since  seen  an  old 
'ewspaper  of  the  year  1788,  in  which  the  song  is  con 
tained  ;  and,  as  it  may  gratify  some  young  reader,  here 
insert  it  entire. 

MASSACHUSETTS    CONVENTION. 

Tune,  "Yankee  Doodle." 
THE  'Vention  did  in  Boston  meet, 

But  Statehouse  could  not  hold  'em ; 
So  then  they  went  to  Fed-'ral-street, 
And  there  the  truth  was  told  'em. 

Yankee  doodle,  keep  it  up ! 

Yankee  doodle  dandy ; 
Mind  the  music  and  the  step, 
And  with  the  girls  be  handy. 

They  ev'ry  morning  went  to  prayer, 
And  then  begun  disputing, 


236  APPENDIX. 

Till  opposition  silenc'd  were 
By  arguments  refuting. 

Yankee  doodle,  &c. 

Then  'squire  Hancock,  like  a  man 
Who  dearly  loves  the  nation, 

By  a  conciliatory  plan 
Prevented  much  vexation. 

Yankee  doodle,  &c. 

He  made  a  woundy  fed'ral  speech, 

With  sense  and  elocution, 
And  then  the  'Vention  did  beseech 

T'  adopt  the  Constitution. 

Yankee  doodle,  &c. 

The  question  being  outright  put, 

Each  voter  independent, 
The  Fed'ralists  agreed  t'  adopt, 

And  then  propose  amendment. 
Yankee  doodle,  6cc. 

The  other  party,  seeing  then 
The  people  were  against  'enj; 

Agreed,  like  honest  faithful  men,. 
To  mix  in  peace  among  'em. 
Yankee  doodle,  &c. 

The  Boston  folks  are  deuced  folks, 
And  always  full  of  "  notions ;" 

The  boys,  the  girls,  their  marms  and  datt» 
Were  fill'd  with  joy's  commotions. 
Yankee  doodle,  &c. 

So  straightway  they  procession  made, 

Lord  !  how  nation  fine,  sir ! 
For  every  man,  of  every  trade, 

Went,  with  his  tools,  to  dine,  Sir. 
Yankee  doodle,  &c. 

JOHN  FOSTER  WILLIAMS,  in  a  ship, 
Joined  with  a  social  band,  sir, 

And  made  the  lasses  dance  and  skip 
To  see  him  sail  on  land,  sir. 
Yankee  doodle,  <5cc. 


APPENDIX.  237 

O  then  a  whapping  feast  begun, 

And  all  hands  went  to  eating, 
They  drank  their  toasts,  shook  hands,  and  sung 

Huzza  for  'Vention  meeting. 
Yankee  doodle,  &c. 

Now  politicians  of  all  kinds, 

Who  are  not  yet  decided, 
May  see  how  Yankees  speak  their  minds, 

And  yet  are  not  divided. 

Yankee  doodle,  &c. 

Then  from  this  sample  let  7em  cease 

Inflammatory  writing, 
For  FREEDOM,  HAPPINESS,  and  PEACE, 

Are  better  far  than  fighting. 
Yankee  doodle,  &c. 

So  here  I  end  my  Fed'ral  song, 

Composed  of  thirteen  verses, 
May  AGRICULTURE  flourish  long, 

And  COMMERCE  fill  our  purses. 
Yankee  doodle,  &c. 


CUDJOE  MEN. 

As  some  of  my  young  readers  may  not  understaiio 
what  is  meant  by  "  Cudjoe  Men,"  on  page  179  of  the 
preceding  narrative,  I  may  be  excused  for  giving  the 
following  short  account  of  them. 

The  island  of  Jamaica  was  captured  from  the  Span 
iards  in  1655,  during  the  Protectorship  of  Oliver  Crom 
well,  by  an  English  armament  under  Admiral  Penn  and 
General  Venables.  The  Spanish  inhabitants  had  in 
their  possession  on  the  island  at  that  time  about  fifteen 
hundred  enslaved  Africans,  most  of  whom,  upon  the 
surrender  of  their  masters,  retreated  to  the  mountains, 
from  whence  they  made  frequent  attacks  on  the  British 
plantations,  giving  no  quarter  to  the  settlers,  and  carry 
ing  off  *heir  booty  to  the  woods  and  fastnesses  in  the 
mountains.  They  were  called  Maroons  ;  the  word  ma 
roon  signifying,  among  the  Spanish  Americans,  hog 
hunters  ;  the  woods  at  that  time  abounding  with  the  wild 


238  APPENDIX. 

?K>ar.  and  the  pursuit  of  them  constituting  the  principal 
employment  of  runaway  or  fugitive  negroes.  Mariano 
is  the  Spanish  word  for  a  young  pig. 

This  petty  warfare  continued  from  1655  to  1738,  a 
period  of  eighty-three  years.  The  Maroons  knew  every 
secret  avenue  of  the  country,  and  stole  into  the  distant 
or  new  settlements  by  night,  killing  the  whites,  setting 
lire  to  the  cane-fields  and  houses,  and  carrying  the  slaves 
into  captivity  or  forcing  them  to  join  in  the  war  against 
their  English  masters. 

During  this  long  period  of  hostility,  the  British  gained 
many  victories  over  the  Maroons  ;  penetrated  into  the 
mountains  ;  and  established  forts  near  their  secret  haunts. 
They  trained  their  own  slaves  to  repel  and  fight  them 
from  garrisons  and  barracks  on  the  mountains  or  in  their 
neighborhood.  Each  barrack  was  furnished  with  a  pack 
of  dogs,  trained  and  provided  by  the  whites.  These  an 
imals  were  called  Spanish  dogs,  or  bloodhounds,  and 
proved  extremely  serviceable  to  the  English,  not  only 
in  guarding  against  surprise  in  the  night,  but  in  tracking 
the  enemy  to  his  secret  haunts  in  the  mountains  and 
caves.  Notwithstanding  all  these  means  of  annoyance, 
the  Maroons  increased  and  became  more  formidable  in 
1730,  under  an  able  black  general,  named  CudjOe,  who 
gained  great  renown  among  them. 

In  1737,  the  British  embarked  from  the  Musquito 
shore  two  hundred  of  the  Musquito  tribe  of  Indians,  and 
landed  them  at  Jamaica,  to  hunt  down  the  Cudjoe  men 
after  their  own  mode  of  hostility,  "bush-fighting,"  or 
ambuscade. 

In  1738,  Governor  Trelawney  made  overtures  of  peace 
to  the  Maroons,  who,  worn  down  by  famine,  fatigue,  and 
the  assaults  of  their  numerous  foes,  accepted  the  English 
proposals  The  articles  of  pacification  commenced  in 
the  following  words  :  — 

"  In  the  name  of  God,  amen.  Whereas  captain  Cud 
joe,  captain  Accompong,  captain  Johnny,  captain  Cuflfee, 
captain  Quaco,  and  several  other  negroes,  their  depend 
ents  and  adherents,  have  been  in  a  state  of  war  against 
our  sovereign  lord  the  king,"  dec.,  &c.  The  treaty  con 
sisted  of  fifteen  articles,  in  which  fifteen  hundred  acres 
of  land  were  allowed  to  one  body  of  the  Maroons,  who 


APEENDIX.  239 

settled  at  Trelawney  j  and  one  thousand  acres  to  another 
body  of  them,  settled  at  Accompong,  Crawford  town,  and 
Nanny  town. 

They  spoke  a  sort  of  broken  English  and  Spanish, 
were  extremely  ignorant  and  superstitious,  and,  like  the 
negroes  of  Guinea,  believed  in  the  prevalence  of  Obi,  a  spe 
cies  of  pretended  magic,  and  the  supernatural  power  o, 
Obeah  men. 

From  their  mode  of  life  and  constant  exercise,  they 
possessed  great  bodily  perfection,  seldom  beheld  among 
any  other  class  of  African  or  native  blacks. 

Such  was  the  situation  of  the  Cudjoe  men  in  1782, 
when  I  escaped  from  Jamaica. 

I  may  as  well  add  what  has  since  befallen  them. 

An  article  in  the  treaty  of  pacification  with  Captain 
Cudjoe,  in  1^38,  had  made  the  Maroons  amenable  to  the 
British  law  in  cases  of  murder,  theft,  &c.,  committed 
against  the  buckras,  or  whites.  In  1795,  soon  after  the 
dreadful  scenes  in  the  island  of  St.  Domingo,  now  called 
Hayti,  two  Maroons  were  tried  for  theft,  convicted,  and 
punished  by  being  publicly  whipped  at  Trelawney  town. 
This  occasioned  an  insurrection,  which  threatened  a  rep 
etition  of  the  same  scenes  in  Jamaica,  which  had  taken 
place  at  St.  Domingo.  The  English  negro  slaves,  how 
ever,  hated  the  Cudjoe  men  or  Maroons  too  fervently 
even  to  join  them  in  endeavoring  to  gain  their  own  free 
dom. 

The  Maroons  in  1795  consisted  of  about  1600  men, 
women,  and  children  ;  but  the  insurrection  was  limited 
to  the  Trelawney  Maroons,  the  descendants  of  Cudjoe 
and  the  negroes  under  his  command,  who  were  particu 
larly  called  Cudjoe  men. 

The  whole  of  the  Accompong  Maroons  declared  in  la- 
vor  of  the  whites,  or  refused  to  fight  the  buckras. 

Fifty-eight  years  had  elapsed  since  the  pacification 
with  Gen.  Cudjoe  ;  yet  this  long  period  of  peace  had  not 
enfeebled  the  Maroons,  who  resumed  the  war  with  fresh 
vigor  and  cruelty.  But  the  British  established  lines  ex 
tending  twenty  miles  in  length  through  glades  and  over 
heigms,  till  the  Cudjoe  men  were  reduced  to  great  straits, 
and  pent  up  in  their  principal  strong  hold,  called  the 
Cockpits ;  a  sort  of  valley  or  dell,  surrounded  by  steep 


240  APPENDIX. 

precipices  and  broken  rocks,  and  by  mountains  of  pp- 
digious  height ;  in  the  caverns  of  which  they  had  secre 
ted  their  women  and  children,  and  deposited  their  ammu 
nition.  The  Cockpits  could  be  reached  only  by  a  path 
down  a  steep  rock,  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  almost  in 
perpendicular  height,  and  totally  inaccessible  to  the 
whites  ;  but  the  Cudjoe  men,  having  been  habituated  to 
employ  their  naked  feet  in  climbing  up  trees  and  preci 
pices,  easily  surmounted  this  obstacle.  Their  principal 
suffering  was  from  want  of  water.  This  they  supplied 
for  some  time  in  the  leaves  of  the  tillandsia  maxima,  or 
wild  pine.  This  is  not  a  tree,  but  a  plant,  which  takes 
root  on  the  body  of  a  tree,  commonly  in  the  fork  or  great 
branches  of  the  cotton  tree,  and,  irom  the  conformation 
of  its  leaves,  catches  and  retains  water  from  every  show 
er.  Each  leaf  resembles  a  spout,  and  has  at  its  base  a 
natural  bucket  or  reservoir,  which  contains  about  a 
quart  of  water,  —  a  wonderful  provision  of  Divine  Provi 
dence. 

But  even  this  resource  was  at  length  exhausted  ;  and, 
to  add  to  the  terror  of  the  Maroons,  forty  chasseurs,  01 
Spanish  hunters,  chiefly  people  of  color,  with  about  ont 
hundred  Spanish  dogs  or  bloodhounds,  arrived  from  Ha 
vana.  These  dogs,  though  no  larger  than  an  Englis* 
shepherd  dog,  were  much  dreaded  by  the  Cudjoe  men, 
the  whole  of  whom  surrendered  to  the  British  troops,  in 
March,  1796,  about  one  year  after  the  commencement  of 
this  second  and  last  war.  The  Spanish  dogs,  whose  keen 
ness  of  scent,  and  long  training,  had  made  them  thus  for 
midable,  were  formerly  used  to  get  rid  of  the  aboriginal 
Indians  of  Cuba,  &c.,  who  were  cruelly  hunted  down  and 
exterminated  by  the  Spaniards.  They  are  now  general 
ly  employed  in  Cuba  and  South  America  in  the  pursuit 
of  wild  bullocks,  which  are  killed  for  their  hides,  —  the 
dogs  driving  the  cattle  from  the  heights  and  forests  into 
the  plains,  where  they  are  slaughtered  by  the  chasseurs, 
or  hunters. 

In  June,  1796,  ships  having  been  provided  for  the  oc 
casion,  six  hundred  Maroons  or  Cudjoe  men,  the  remnant 
of  these  restless  and  cut-throat  blacks,  were  transported 
from  Jamaica  to  Halifax,  for  settlement  in  Nova  Scotia, 
New  Brunswick,  and  Canada. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


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